Orland Park PD Increases DUI Patrols Thanksgiving Weekend

ORLAND PARK, IL -- The Orland Park Police Department is joining its counterparts throughout Illinois encouraging motorists to celebrate safely this holiday season. Law enforcement throughout the state will be working around the clock through Thanksgiving and the remainder of the year to be sure travelers are buckled up and driving sober.

“The Orland Park Police Department does an excellent job with its public safety messaging,” said Trustee Pat Gira, chair of the village’s Public Safety Committee. “The holiday season is a busy time of the year and we want everyone to safely arrive at their destinations.”

Orland Park police will be highly visible on local roads during the holiday season. Officers will be watching for drivers and passengers traveling without seat belts or with an unbuckled child in the vehicle. Motorists are warned that driving after drinking or using drugs or other impairing substances will not be tolerated.

“Wearing a safety belt is the most effective way to protect vehicle occupants in a crash,” said Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy. “Make the right choices. Don’t drive if you’re impaired and make sure that everyone in your vehicle buckles up.”

Illinois motorists can expect to be ticketed if they are unbelted. Statistics show that nighttime driving comes with increased risk for injury or death. Evening hours account for a higher percentage of impaired driving crashes, a higher percentage of fatalities and a lower percentage of occupants wearing seat belts.

“Make the right decision to drive sober during Thanksgiving, throughout the holiday season and every day,” McCarthy added. “Impaired driving remains a huge problem in Illinois and across the country and everyone needs to work together to stop senseless crashes.”

The Click It or Ticket/Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement effort is funded with federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

~ Image via OPPD