Enforcement Patrols Planned On I-355 In Will County

WILL COUNTY, IL — The Illinois State Police will conduct several upcoming enforcement patrols on Interstate 355 in Will County, according to a release. Between Sept. 4 and Sept. 6, police will conduct occupant restraint enforcement patrols (OREP) and distracted driving enforcement program patrols.

The goal of the OREP program is to increase statewide safety belt usage by enforcing all Illinois occupant restraint laws, according to a release. Illinois State Police said Illinois Department of Transportation statistics for 2018 revealed that 258 people were killed while not wearing their seatbelts.

Police will have a zero tolerance approach toward all unrestrained occupants of a motor vehicle during these patrols, according to a release. Illinois law requires all occupants of a motor vehicle to be properly restrained, regardless of where they are sitting. Children under the age of 8 are required to be properly secured in a child-restraint system at all times. Children under the age of 2 must be secured in a rear-facing, properly secured child restraint system unless the child weighs 40 or more pounds or is 40 or more inches long. Children who weigh 40 or more pounds may be secured in the rear seat of a vehicle with a seat belt.

The distracted driving program allows police to focus on distracted driving laws to prevent traffic deaths and serious injuries, according to police. All drivers are prohibited from using handheld electronic communication devices; and drivers under 19 are prohibited from using any cellphone, even hands-free, police said.

The OREP project is funded through the IDOT Division of Traffic Safety. The distracted driving enforcement campaign is made possible by traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.