Police to conduct late-night traffic enforcement

Aug. 25, 2014 - Oak Park Police are planning a late-night enforcement campaign during the Labor Day holiday weekend. Impaired and unbuckled drivers on the roads will be targeted as part of a statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement effort.

Efforts will focus on late-night hours when statistics show a disproportionate number of traffic deaths occur that involve drunk drivers and unbuckled motorists.

"The hours from midnight to 3 a.m. are among the most deadly to be driving on Illinois roads," said Oak Park Deputy Chief Anthony Ambrose. "To help prevent fatalities on our roadways, we are stepping up our late-night enforcement efforts to make sure motorists are buckled up, and to keep impaired drivers off the road."

To avoid a potential crash or an arrest for driving under the influence, the Oak Park Police Department recommends designating a sober driver and not letting friends or family members drive drunk or impaired. 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 by pulling over and dialing 911.
• Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears a seat belt – it’s not only state law, but the best defense against a drunk driver.

The law enforcement crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds through Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety.

For more information on traffic safety in Oak Park, email police@oak-park.us.