Steps up late-night impaired driving and safety belt enforcement

Peoria Il. – The Peoria Police Department today announced its late-night plans for the 2014 Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Impaired Driving Crackdown focusing on the deadliest time of day for motor vehicle fatalities.The intensified enforcement effort against the overwhelming number of late-night impaired drivers and seat belt law violators emphasizes the disproportionate number of traffic deaths occurring during late-night hours.

According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the midnight to 3 a.m. timeframe is the deadliest time on Illinois roads. The data also shows this time of day has the highest percentage of alcohol involvement and the lowest occupant restraint use.

“The numbers do not lie. To help prevent fatalities on Illinois roadways, we are stepping up our late-night enforcement efforts, making sure impaired drivers are off the road and motorists are buckled up,” said Lt. Steve Roegge. “If you drive impaired or unbuckled at night, we will find you and arrest you or give you a ticket.”