Buckle up and don’t drive drunk. That’s the message from law enforcement regarding the coming holiday.
The St. Charles Police Department announced Wednesday that it will be participating in a statewide initiative to enhance driver safety over the Thanksgiving holiday period.
From November 19 through November 29, additional officers will be assigned throughout Illinois to DUI and seat belt enforcement. St. Charles Officers will be participating in this statewide initiative, the goal of which is to prevent motor vehicle crashes and resulting injuries.
According to the department, correct seat belt use is the most effective way to protect vehicle occupants in a crash. Referencing Illinois Department of Transportation statistics, the department notes that the statewide seat belt usage rate is 95.2 percent, yet unbuckled occupants make up a disproportionately large number of fatalities, representing more than 50 percent of people killed in motor vehicle crashes.
In addition, statistics show nighttime driving comes with an increased risk of injury or death. Evening hours account for a higher percentage of impaired driving crashes, a higher percentage of fatalities, and a lower percentage of occupants wearing seat belts.
Police remind drivers that if you’ll be celebrating with alcohol or other impairing substances, please remember:
- Make a plan for a sober ride home before you go out.
- Use a ride share service, such as Uber or Lyft, or a taxi.
- If you see a drunk driver, pull over safely and call 911.
- Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears their seat belt. It is the best defense against an impaired driver.
The Click It or Ticket/Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement effort is funded with federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
