Illinois State Police (ISP) District 12 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Cory Ristvedt, would like to remind motorists to drive sober or designate a driver while celebrating over the 4th of July. DUI remains the number one cause of fatal crashes during Independence Day celebrations. Troopers will be doing their part to keep the roadway safe by watching for and arresting intoxicated drivers.
The ISP encourages those at celebrations involving alcohol to avoid drunk driving altogether. The following tips will help keep you from becoming a statistic.
- Plan a safe way home before the fun begins.
- Designate a sober driver before the drinking begins.
- If you’re impaired, use a taxi, call a sober friend or family member, or use public transportation so you are sure to get home safely.
- If you see a drunk driver on the road, don’t hesitate to call 911.
- If you know someone who is about to drive or ride while impaired, take their keys and help them make other arrangements to safely get to where they are going.
“Traffic crash fatalities in District 12 are substantially higher than this same time last year”, said Lieutenant Ristvedt. “We urge motorists to exercise safe driving habits, while enjoying this holiday weekend”, he added.
Compared to 2015, District 12 counties are experiencing a 127 percent increase in traffic crash fatalities. Those violations most contributing to fatal crashes are: Failure to Wear Seatbelt, Speeding, DUI, and Distracted Driving.