Report shows state's roads deadliest at night

SPRINGFIELD -- New figures suggest Illinois roads are far deadlier late at night than during busy daytime hours.

A review of traffic deaths from recent years shows that nearly one-third occurred between 9 p.m. and 3 a.m.

Only one-quarter of highway deaths took place during rush hour.

The Illinois Department of Transportation also reported Monday that deaths in late-night traffic accidents were more likely to involve alcohol and a lack of seat belts.

For instance, two-thirds of the deaths between midnight and 3 a.m. involved a driver who had been drinking and nearly three-quarters were not wearing seat belts properly.

State police plan to step up traffic enforcement at night from now until Labor Day.