Illinois law enforcement out in full force for 4th of July weekend
IDOT, Illinois State Police and hundreds of police officers throughout the State of Illinois will be out in full force this holiday weekend.
They will be conducting late night safety checks, looking for drivers under the influence, enforcing seatbelt laws, all in an effort to reduce traffic related deaths which occur over the holiday.
During the 2009 4th of July weekend, 13 people were killed in accidents. Five of those accidents involved a driver under the influence. Over 800 people were injured over that same period.
Making the problem worse are the drivers who do not use their seatbelts at night.
"July 4th is a great time of celebration for our country, but too often, those celebrations can turn deadly because of impaired driving and a failure to buckle up," said IDOT secretary Gary Hanning. "That is why IDOT is working with Illinois law enforcement to remind motorists to designate a sober driver before celebrating. If you don't and you choose to drink and driver, you'll be arrested."
