Police To Target Drunken Drivers Statewide During Labor Day Holiday
CHICAGO (CBS) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation has announced the opening of its Labor Day effort called, "Drive Sober or Get Pulled over."
As WBBM Newsradio's Dave Marsett reports, through Labor Day, on Monday, Sept. 3, some 300 local law enforcement agencies and the Illinois State Police will conduct nearly 200 roadside safety checks. They wil also conduct hundreds of other impaired driving and seat belt patrols.
Motorists are being warned that drunk driving or failure to buckle up will result in arrests or tickets.
IDOT says the blood alcohol limit for driving is 0.08, but still, in 2010, more than 10,000 people died in crashes where the driver or motorcyclist at fault was impaired. In Illinois in 2010, there were 298 alcohol-related traffic deaths.
"Even with the decline in drunk driving deaths, on average, there is still an alcohol-involved motor vehicle fatality every day in Illinois," Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider said in a news release. "Research has shown high-visibility enforcement reduces drunk driving fatalities and increases seat belt usage. This campaign is about creating awareness, positively shaping motorist behavior and driving zero roadway fatalities in Illinois to reality."
The campaign is sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
LISTEN: WBBM Newsradio's Dave Marsett reports
