ILLINOIS STATE POLICE READY FOR BUSY THANKSGIVING HOLIDAY TRAVEL PERIOD
Illinois State Police (ISP) District 19 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, would like to remind motorists that the ISP is ready for the beginning of the holiday travel period. The ISP will be stepping up enforcement patrols as the holiday driving season begins. The goal is to make the roads safe for all motorists.
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Morning Show Interview With ISP Sgt. Mark Zimmerman
Traditionally, the Wednesday before the Thanksgiving holiday marks the beginning of the busy holiday travel period. Beginning on Wednesday, November 21st, through Sunday, November 25th, expect high traffic volumes on interstates and roads throughout the region. The ISP is urging the motoring public to adhere to the rules of the road. Statistics continue to show that fatal crashes increase on the interstates during the Thanksgiving holiday period.
Over the holiday weekend, officers will patrol the interstates, conduct Road Side Safety Checks (RSC) and participate in other traffic enforcement details to identify the “Fatal Four” moving violations most associated with fatal traffic crashes: Driving Under the Influence (DUI), Speeding, Failure to Wear a Seat Belt, and Distracted Driving. A special emphasis on DUI enforcement and DUI patrols is planned throughout the long weekend.
In addition, the ISP will be joining the Illinois Department of Transportation and other law enforcement agencies throughout the state in the 2018 Thanksgiving Holiday Click It or Ticket campaign, November 16th – 26th. The goals of the program are to increase voluntary compliance with the seat belt laws and reduce the number of serious injury and fatal traffic crashes. Officers will utilize Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) and Seat Belt Enforcement Zones (SBEZ) during the campaign.
“Our goal for this Thanksgiving holiday weekend remains the same as for each holiday weekend, to reduce the number of fatal traffic crashes on our roadways,” said Captain Ristvedt. “We continue to ask motorists for their assistance with this goal by following the speed limit, buckling up, and not driving distracted or under the influence,” he added.