Palatine police plan New Year’s safety checks

The Palatine Police Department will be saturating the roadways with officers looking for impaired driving, occupant protection, and speeding violations — factors found to be the greatest contributing factors in serious injury and fatal motor vehicle crashes — through Jan. 1. In addition, police will be conducting a roadside safety check from the late evening hours on Friday, Dec. 30, through the early morning hours on Dec. 31 in the area of Algonquin and Roselle Roads. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the midnight to 3 a.m. time frame is the deadliest time on Illinois roads. That same time frame also has the lowest occupant restraint use involving motor vehicle fatalities. Should you be a witness to erratic or impaired driving, call 911.