Oak Lawn Cops Ramp Up Labor Day DUI, Seat Belt Violation Patrols

OAK LAWN, IL -- Partiers be warned: Oak Lawn police will be cracking down more than usual on seat belt violators, texters and impaired drivers from Aug. 22 through Sept. 5.

The Oak Lawn Police Department is participating in the annual Illinois “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown on drunk drivers during the Labor Day holiday. Police will be conducting high-visibility DUI patrols. Anyone caught driving drunk will be arrested. In addition to looking for drunk drivers, Oak Lawn police will be stepping up seat belt enforcement, particularly at night when seat belt usage rates are at their lowest. Front and back seat belt law violators will be ticketed.

“We need people to understand that impaired driving is a deadly crime,” said Sgt. M. Acke, traffic unit supervisor for the Oak Lawn Police Department. “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 blood-alcohol content of .08 or higher.”

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Hosts who over serve who get into wrecks while under the influence of alcohol after leaving their parties may also be held liable by law enforcement or in civil lawsuits.

“Make sure all of your guests designate a sober driver in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers,” Sgt. Acke said. 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 from anyone who is thinking of driving drunk … Never let friends leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while drunk.”

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Motorists should also be prepared for roadside safety checks and increased DUI and seat belt patrols by law enforcement agencies in surrounding towns and roads.

“This is 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,” Sgt. Acke 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.”

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has made it even easier to get home safely when you’ve been drinking, with the free SaferRide mobile app, available through iTunes and Google Play. The app allows you to call pre-selected contacts or a taxi, and also identifies your location so you can be picked up.
Sgt. Acke also reminds motorists and their passengers to buckle up. During the Fourth of July DUI and seatbelt crackdown, Oak Lawn police made 14 DUI arrests and issued 141 seatbelt citations, 79 of which occurred in nighttime hours.

“Always, always buckle up,” Sgt. Acke said. “It’s your best defense against a drunk driver.”

OLPD’s Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown is made possible by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.