Evanston Police Make 2 Drunk Driving Arrests During Enforcement

Evanston police made two drunk driving arrests and handed out several citations over a two-week period prior to Labor Day as part of the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over drunk driving enforcement campaign.

From August 24-September 7, the Evanston Police Department participated in the national Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over drunk driving enforcement campaign, showing zero tolerance for impaired driving. The local effort was part of a nationwide campaign in partnership with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

During the campaign, the Evanston Police Department ramped up its enforcement efforts and noted 67 distracted driving citations, 59 safety belt citations, seven citations for speeding, four citations for no proof of insurance , five for no valid or suspended driver’s license and one misdemeanor charge of Unlawful Use of a Weapon-Stun Gun.

The department credited its outreach in public and on social media about the campaign for the result in such a low number of arrests made during the campaign. 

The high-visibility Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign aimed to increase awareness about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving, through the strict, no-nonsense enforcement of drunk driving laws, according to a police news release.

EPD Traffic Unit supervisor Sergeant Tracy Williams said that planning ahead is the key to preventing drunk driving. “This year, we really pushed the message about designating a sober driver,” he said. “If everyone planned ahead, we’d have a lot fewer fatalities on our hands.”