DUI Crackdown in Evanston Begins This Week

EVANSTON, IL - A pre-Labor Day crackdown on drunk driving in Evanston is already underway.

The city’s participation in the national, high-visibility “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign began on Monday and will run through Labor Day, according to a news release from the Evanston Police Department.

Zero tolerance will be shown toward impaired drivers and seat belt violators during this time. More patrols will be out looking for offenders.

“We need people to understand that impaired driving is a deadly crime,” said EPD Sergeant Tracy Williams, Traffic Unit Supervisor. “Impaired driving is a massive problem in the United States, with more than 10,000 people dying annually. There are people who like to pretend that certain laws don’t apply to them, but to be clear: In every state, for every person, it is illegal to drive with a BAC of .08 or higher.”

Williams calls drunk driving “an unacceptable problem.”

“Impaired driving is selfish and dangerous. We want to increase awareness with this campaign, but also see lasting results of decreased impaired driving,” he said. “Please, please: plan ahead before you go out. Designate a sober driver or call a cab. But whatever you do, do not drink and drive.”