June 24, 2015 – Oak Park Police will be out in force during the July 4 holiday period looking for impaired and unbuckled drivers as part of a statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket enforcement effort.
The intensified enforcement begins on Fri., June 26 and will continue through Sun., July 5. Efforts will focus on late-night hours when statistics show a disproportionate number of traffic deaths occur that involve drunk drivers and unbuckled motorists.
“Independence Day is one of the deadliest holidays of the year because of those who choose to drive while impaired,” said Oak Park Deputy Chief Anthony Ambrose. “Oak Park Police officers will be out in force during the July 4th holiday period and they will have zero tolerance for impaired drivers and motorists who aren’t wearing seat belts.”
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.