Oak Lawn Police Announce Holiday DUI Patrols

OAK LAWN, IL — If you plan to get lit this holiday season, you may want to call Uber. From Dec. 16 through Jan. 2, Oak Lawn police will be watching traffic for signs of impaired drivers who may have imbibed a little too much eggnog at a holiday party. The Oak Lawn Police Department will be running special patrols through Jan. 2, as will police in other nearby communities.

“We want everyone in our communities to enjoy the holidays without worrying about the dangers of impaired drivers,” said Sgt. Acke, of the Oak Lawn Police Department. “During the campaign, you can expect to see extra safety patrols. We will show zero tolerance for alcohol- and drug-impaired driving to help ensure everyone makes it to and from their holiday festivities safely.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System, in 2020, a total of 11,654 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes involving an alcohol-impaired driver. On average, more than 10,000 people were killed each year from 2016 to 2020, with one person killed in an alcohol-related crash every 45 minutes in 2020.

Keep these tips in mind to help ensure a safe and joyful holiday season:

• Before you head to the party, designate a sober driver or plan to use public transportation or a ride-sharing service to get home safely.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, call 9-1-1.
• Have a friend who is about to drive impaired? Take their keys and help them get home safely.
• Always buckle up.

The holiday enforcement effort is made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.