Naperville Among Cities With Most DUI Arrests in State: Survey

The Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists released its annual DUI Arrest Survey on Tuesday, which detailed the cities with the most drunken driving arrests in 2015.

Topping the list was the Carol Stream and Rockford police departments, which each made 464 DUI arrests in 2015, according to the AAIM press release. Chicago, which is ranked in a separate category because of its size, had 3,315 arrests in 2015.

Here is a look at the top ten cities with the most drunken driving arrests:

1. Carol Stream and Rockford (tie): 464 arrests
2. Decatur: 405 arrests
3. Springfield: 385 arrests
4. Naperville: 369 arrests
5. Peoria: 309 arrests
6. Normal: 306 arrests
7. Cicero: 300 arrests
8. Elgin: 271 arrests
9. Aurora: 253 arrests
10. Fairview Heights: 231 arrests

Meanwhile, the Lake County Sheriff’s Department reported the most DUI arrests among sheriff's departments in the state in 2015 with 367 taken into custody for drunken driving. The Cook County Sheriff’s Department followed with 331 arrests while Winnebago County had 278 arrests, Will County had 205 DUI arrests and and Champaign County had 204 arrests.

"Over the last three decades, progress has been made to help eliminate the devastation caused by impaired driving in Illinois. While frustratingly slow, many lives have been saved,” said Rita Kreslin, Executive Director of AAIM. “Focused efforts and cooperation of law enforcement agencies, traffic safety advocates and communities have helped to prevent crashes and save thousands of lives.”

The AAIM survey also looked at police departments that saw the biggest jumps in DUI arrests in 2015 compared to 2014.

Peoria saw DUI arrests increase by 83.9 percent while Carol Stream increased its DUI arrests by 31.8 percent. Rockford saw a 20.8 percent increase in drunken driving offenses, Elgin saw an 18.9 percent increase and Cicero arrests increased by 17.6 percent. Other departments to see a steep jump in DUI arrests included: Fairview Heights (15.54 percent), Aurora (12.4 percent) and Berwyn (11.4 percent).

The AAIM also credited the Carol Stream Police Department with being one of the top three departments since 2007 when it came to the number of DUI arrests made per officer. Carol Stream had 7.61 DUI arrests per sworn officer in 2015.

And when it came to the officer with the most arrests, that honor went to Illinois State Police Trooper Eric David who made 310 DUI arrests in 2015. The AAIM also commended Chicago Police Officer Timothy Walter, who arrested 232 drunk drivers, and Chicago Police Officer Elliot Tupayachi, who arrested 226 drunk drivers in 2015.

“AAIM has great respect for all these officers and departments for their aggressive DUI enforcement. We are grateful for their willingness to put forth the extra effort in removing drunk drivers from our roads,” said Kreslin. “While the progress is encouraging, the battle to eliminate impaired driving is far from over. With cannabis use now in the spotlight, AAIM’s concern is driver performance and traffic safety. The complex problem of reducing impaired driving has many facets, including law enforcement training, public awareness strategies, proper prosecution and adjudication to help prevent the senselessness of impaired motor vehicle crashes.”

Stepped up Enforcement for Fourth of July

Law enforcement agencies from across the state plan to step up enforcement efforts over the Fourth of July as part of a statewide "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign. Officers will also be on the watch for those violating seat belt laws.

The Lake in the Hills Police Department, which is among several agencies participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled over campaign, provided these tips and reminders for those hosting Fourth of July parties:

• Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in a drunk driving crash
• Make sure all of your guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers
• Serve lots of food and include lots of non-alcoholic beverages at the party
• Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys away fro anyone who is thinking of driving drunk

If you are attending an Independence Day party:

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys
• If you do not have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, call a cab, sober friend or family member to pick you up, or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober
• Never let friends leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while drunk
• Always buckle up – it is your best defense against a drunk driver

More via the AAIM website or Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over website