Woodridge Police Department to Step Up Late-Night Impaired Driving and Seat Belt Enforcement

The today announced its late-night enforcement plans for the Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown.

The intensified enforcement effort against impaired drivers underscores the disproportionate number of traffic deaths involving alcohol and unbelted motorists.

The stepped-up enforcement will begin Friday, Aug. 17, and run through Labor Day, Monday, Sept. 3. Enforcement efforts will concentrate on the deadly nighttime hours.

According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the midnight to 3 a.m. timeframe is the deadliest time on Illinois roadways. The data also shows this time of day has the highest percentage of alcohol involvement and the lowest seat belt usage rate.

“The numbers do not lie. We will be stepping up our late-night enforcement efforts, making sure impaired drivers are off the road and motorists are buckled up,” said Woodridge police management analyst Kate Andris. “In Woodridge, the message is simple…'Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.'”

Woodridge police recommends designating a sober driver and not letting friends and family drive impaired as just two of several simple steps to avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving.

Other important tips include:

• Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.
• If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
• Promptly report impaired drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement.
• Wear your seat belt and make sure all passengers are buckled up. It is your best defense against an impaired driver.

The law enforcement crackdown runs concurrently with a media campaign that will remind motorists, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”