NPD steps up enforcement through end of year
The Naperville Police Department is announcing its late-night enforcement plans for the end-of-the-year holidays focusing on the deadliest time of day for motor vehicle fatalities. The intensified late-night enforcement comes during the heavily- traveled holiday season and underscores the disproportionate number of traffic deaths occurring during late-night hours.
According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the midnight to 3 a.m. timeframe is the deadliest time on Illinois roadways. Not coincidentally, the data also shows this time of day has the highest percentage of alcohol involvement and the lowest occupant restraint use.
During the Christmas holiday timeframe last year (crashes occurring in Illinois from 6 p.m. on Dec. 24 through 11:59 a.m. on Dec. 27), four people died in motor vehicle crashes. In addition, 775 people were injured in crashes during this time. Furthermore, during the New Year's holiday timeframe in 2009 (crashes occurring from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 through 11:59 a.m. on Jan. 3), 6 people in Illinois died in motor vehicle crashes. Three of those deaths involved an impaired driver and 477 people were injured in crashes during this time as well.
The Naperville Police Department recommends designating a sober driver and not letting friends and family drive impaired. These are just two of several simple steps to avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving. Other important tips include:
Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.
If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
Promptly report impaired drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement;
Wear your safety belt and make sure all passengers are safely buckled up. It is your best defense against an impaired driver
The law enforcement crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds through IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety and runs concurrently with a media campaign that reminds motorists, “You Drink & Drive. You Lose.” and “Click It or Ticket.”