Schaumburg police among those doing holiday DUI crackdown

Schaumburg police will be targeting alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers from Monday, Dec. 18, through the early morning hours of Jan. 2 as part of a statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement action by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies.

"Now through New Year's Day, motorists will notice increased enforcement watching closely for anyone who is driving impaired," Sgt. Christy Lindhurst said in a news release. Last year, 37,461 people were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes in the United States, with 28 percent of the deaths involving a driver had a blood-alcohol concentration over the limit of 0.08.

Officers also will look for, and ticket, individuals who are not properly restrained or who are using electronic devices while driving. This includes checking the GPS on your phone or just looking at a text message. Illinois law requires you to wear your seat belt, no matter where you are seated in the vehicle. Federal highway safety funds pay for the extra enforcement.