For Immediate Release
Illinois State Police Urges Safe Travel This Holiday Period
Pesotum, IL –Illinois State Police (ISP) District 10 Commander, Captain Louis Kink would like to remind motorists to drive sober or designate a sober driver while celebrating the July 4th holiday period. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) remains the number one cause of fatal crashes during Independence Day celebrations.
Additionally, speeding, distracted driving, and not wearing a seatbelt are the other main causes of personal injury and fatal crashes. Troopers will be doing their part to keep the roadway safe by watching for impaired, distracted, and reckless drivers.
The ISP encourages those at celebrations involving alcohol to avoid impaired driving altogether. The following tips will help you avoid tragedy:
Designate a sober driver or arrange for alternate transportation before the celebration begins.
If you are impaired, utilize a cab service, rideshare service, take public transportation, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
If you see what appears to be an impaired driver on the road, call 911.
If you are aware someone is about to operate a motor vehicle while impaired, take their keys and help make arrangements to get them to their destination safely.
“There will be a large volume of traffic on the roadways through Sunday,” stated Captain Louis Kink. “We will be increasing patrols to watch for motorists who may be driving in an unsafe manner. I encourage every motorist to drive sober, obey the speed limit, make sure everyone in the vehicle is buckled up properly, and put down the phone. Also, please drive courteously, give plenty of room between vehicles, use the left lane for passing only and use your turn signals. Be alert and move over and slow down for all stopped motorists and emergency vehicles. Share the road responsibly with everyone and get to your destination safely. District 10 Troopers want everyone to have a safe and fun holiday,” he continued.
During this holiday period, ISP Troopers will focus their efforts on enforcing Fatal-4 violations: DUI, Speeding, Seatbelts and Distracted Driving, which are all contributing factors to traffic crash related fatalities.
Speeding increases your chances of losing control of a vehicle and reduces the reaction time to respond to potential hazards. Drive the speed limit and pass only when it’s safe to do so.
Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and off the cell phone. Illinois law prohibits the use of any electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. Hands-free or Bluetooth Technology is allowed for persons over the age of 18. Avoid other common distractions such as, eating, adjusting music or controls, and tending to children or pets.
Buckle up. It is the law, and it may save your life if you are in a crash.
The ISP would also like to remind the public to proceed with caution when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with their lights activated or any stationary vehicle with their hazards lights on. Move over if you can do so safely and slow down.
# # #
