CARMI, IL –Illinois State Police (ISP) District 19 Interim Commander, Lieutenant Lance Hinkle, would like to remind motorists to drive sober or designate a sober driver while celebrating the July 4th holiday period. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) remains the number one cause of fatal traffic crashes during Independence Day celebrations. Additionally, speeding, distracted driving, and not wearing a seatbelt are the other main causes of personal injury and fatal traffic crashes. Troopers will be doing their part to keep the roadway safe by watching for impaired, distracted, and reckless drivers.
The ISP encourages those at celebrations involving alcohol to avoid impaired driving altogether. The following tips will help you avoid tragedy:
Designate a sober driver or arrange for alternate transportation prior to the celebration. If you are impaired, utilize a cab service, rideshare service, take public transportation, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely. If you see what appears to be an impaired driver on the road, call 911. If you are aware someone is about to operate a motor vehicle while impaired, take their keys and help make arrangements to get them to their destination safely.
“As always, we want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable holiday weekend,” stated Lieutenant Hinkle. “District 19 Troopers will be out aggressively enforcing traffic safety laws to help make sure everyone can safely travel the roadways this holiday weekend, and that will also include special patrols like Roadside Safety Checks,” he added.
In regards to that aggressive traffic safety enforcement this holiday period, ISP Troopers will focus their efforts on enforcing Fatal-4 violations: DUI, Speeding, Seatbelts and Distracted Driving, which are all contributing factors to traffic crash related fatalities.
Speeding increases your chances of losing control of a vehicle and reduces the reaction time to respond to potential hazards. Drive the speed limit and pass only when it’s safe to do so.
Keep your eyes on the road, hands on the wheel and off the cell phone. Illinois law prohibits the use of any electronic devices while operating a motor vehicle. Hands-free or Bluetooth Technology is allowed for persons over the age of 18. Avoid other common distractions such as, eating, adjusting music or controls, and tending to children or pets.
Buckle up. It is the law, and it may save your life if you are in a crash.
The ISP would also like to remind the public to proceed with caution when approaching a stationary emergency vehicle with their lights activated or any stationary vehicle with their hazards lights on. Move over if you can do so safely and slow down.