Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign Under Way for the Holidays

The Elmhurst Police Department has begun its holiday “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over/Click It or Ticket” crackdown.

The intensified enforcement effort against drunk drivers and seat belt law violators underscores the disproportionate number of traffic deaths caused by alcohol and failure to buckle up. The stepped-up enforcement began Dec. 17 and runs through New Year’s Eve. Enforcement efforts will concentrate on the deadly nighttime hours, between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the midnight to 3 a.m. time frame is the deadliest time on Illinois roadways, and data shows that 9 p.m. is the time of day alcohol involvement and low seat belt use begins to play a much more significant role in motor vehicle fatalities. Data shows alcohol and lack of belt use continues throughout the nighttime hours until 6 a.m.

Elmhurst Police Department recommends designating a sober driver and not letting friends and family drive drunk. Other important tips include:

• Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.
• If you are drunk, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
• Promptly report drunk 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 a drunk driver.

The law enforcement crackdown runs concurrently with a media campaign that reminds motorists to “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket,” and is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation with funds made available via the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Source: Elmhurst Police Department