ILLINOIS STATE POLICE
Hiram Grau - Director
For Immediate Release:
September 2, 2011
6:56 AM
For More Information Contact:
Trooper Mike Link
618.346.3524 - work
618.973.3050 - cell
mike.link@isp.state.il.us
ILLINOIS STATE POLICE LAUNCH OPERATION FATAL 4 FOR LABOR DAY HOLIDAY
WEEKEND
District 11 to Enforce Speeding, Seatbelt and Distracted Driver Violators
with Push to Drive ZERO Fatalities
COLLINSVILLE – Illinois State Police (ISP) statewide are reminding
motorists to make safety their number one priority while driving during the
Labor Day holiday weekend. The Labor Day weekend is one the busiest
driving periods for motorists and thousands of drivers are expected to hit
the roadways and interstates nationwide.
Law Enforcement officials will push for ZERO fatalities by enforcing the
four most common causes of fatal crashes: Speeding; DUI; seat belts; and
distracted driving. Troopers will saturate the expressways and roadways
looking for speeders, impaired drivers, seat belt violators and distracted
drivers.
"We will have extra Troopers out and their primary function will be finding
and removing intoxicated drivers from the road." District 11 Commander Brad
Parsons said. "However, if they see someone speeding, not wearing a
seatbelt, or driving distracted, you can guarantee they will also take
appropriate enforcement action."
This week, ISP officials have been partnering with the Illinois Department
of Transportation (IDOT) in its push against driving under the influence
and impaired drivers.
In addition to enforcement messages and public awareness safety campaigns,
districts state wide are also working with IDOT to ensure that highways are
safe and clear of road distractions that can impede or impact safe driving
and roadway safety.
"Traffic enforcement goes hand in hand with preventing violence and
troopers state
wide will be enforcing both to ensure Illinois roadways and citizens are
safe," ISP Director Hiram Grau said.
ISP officials will also be working closely with the Statewide Terrorism
Intelligence Center (STIC) monitoring intelligence and special alerts
looking for suspicious vehicles and criminal activity crossing state lines.
Illinois State Police will also focus on illegal narcotics crossing state
lines. Canine units will also be deployed to assist troopers with narcotics
investigations on the expressways. "We know that the Labor Day holiday
weekend is traditionally a time for family travel, but criminals are also
traveling on Illinois roadways and expressways trafficking drugs, US
currency and illegal firearms," said Director Grau.
"Whether a motorist is driving under the influence, or influencing criminal
activity, our troopers will maintain zero tolerance for breaking the law,"
he stressed.
Commander Parsons added that Alcohol Counter Enforcement (Ace) patrols and
roadside safety checks have already been deployed leading up to the holiday
weekend and will continue throughout the holiday weekend. Troopers will
also be equipped with radar and lidar devices to monitor motorists
exceeding the legal speed limits.
The most common offenses include speeding, DUI, and seat belt violations.
Last year, Illinois State Police issued 4,707 tickets for speeding
violations during the 4-day holiday period from Friday to Monday. During
that same time period, there were 67 DUI arrests; 1,699 seatbelt
violations; and 27 distracted driver violations.
"Our goal is to reduce the number of violations during the holiday weekend
because when we issue fewer tickets, we know motorists are paying attention
to the safety warnings and are considering the safety of others," said
Commander Parsons.
"A vehicle is a deadly weapon if not handled safely or responsibly, and we
expect every motorist who gets behind the wheel to consider the safety
precautions and the lives of others when driving," said Commander Parsons.
Illinois State Police are responsible for the public safety of the citizens
of Illinois and patrol more than 20,000 miles of the state's highways.
(See attached file: LaborDay.pdf)
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