Chicago DUI lawyer comments on the Illinois Dept.of Transportation's Impaired Driver Crack Down

This Chicago DUI lawyer has advised folks here, here, and here for example to avoid drinking and driving, especially during the holidays. There is an increased presence of law enforcement on the road and it's far better to avoid a DUI arrest than to defend against a DUI charge. Now comes news that late night patrols will be greater in response to NHTSA's study of fatal accidents involving alcohol impaired drivers.

August 24, Springfield, IL

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety today released data showing the marked difference in motor vehicle fatalities occurring late at night compared to other times of the day. The date underscores the fact that the nighttime fatalities have the highest involvement of alcohol and the lowest safety belt usage as compared to all fatalities occurring on Illinois roadways.

This deadly combination of alcohol and low safety belt use has caught the attention of transportation and law enforcement leaders in Illinois. Illinois law enforcement will be out in full force now through Labor Day in an effort to crackdown on this dangerous trend. For the next two weeks, over 300 local law enforcement agencies will join the Illinois State Police in conducting nearly 200 roadside safety checks, impaired driving saturation patrols and nighttime safety belt patrols. Motorists are being warned that nighttime impaired driving or failure to buckle up will get you arrested or ticketed.

“We are working closely with Illinois State Police and local agencies to make sure that all motorists behind the wheel are driving sober,” said IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig. “One of our top priorities is to save lives and the data revealed shows that we need to focus our efforts on impaired driving at night.”

“Drinking and driving is inappropriate regardless of the time of day," said Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken. "Data tells us the likelihood of being involved in a crash or fatal crash where alcohol is involved increases dramatically at night. Therefore, the Illinois State Police will focus our efforts on DUI and seat belt enforcement during night time details throughout the Labor Day weekend."

There you have it, the Illinois State Police Director saying that drinking and driving is inappropriate regardless of the time of day. He doesn't say drinking too much or drunk driving. It is a distinct change in language. That sounds like a zero tolerance on having a romantic dinner with your spouse and a glass of champagne before driving home for the night.