Orland Park Police Dept. Reminds Motorists to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over

The Orland Park Police Department joins with the Illinois Department of Transportation to stop drunk and drug-impaired drivers over Labor Day weekend. OPPD will be promoting “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” Aug. 21 through Sept. 5. The late summer holiday weekend can be one of the deadliest because of the number of motor vehicle crashes related to drunk and drug-impaired drivers.

During this period, officers will show zero tolerance for impaired driving and also issue seatbelt law violations.

“We want to remind drivers that drunk driving is not only illegal, it is a matter of life and death,” said Police Chief Tim McCarthy. “This state-wide effort over one of the deadliest motor vehicle crash weekends aims to reduce impaired driving, and help to make zero fatalities a reality in Orland Park.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 10,265 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes in 2015, an increase from 9,967 people killed in 2014.

More than 300 people die annually in Illinois due to individuals driving under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

“If you know you will be drinking, designate a sober driver, and plan to use public transportation or call a cab to ensure you get home safely,” McCarthy said. “We make zero exceptions for impaired driving. There are just no excuses.”

Friends are urged to step in and take away keys and arrange alternative transportation if they think a friend has had too much to drink. If you see a drunk driver on the road, contact the Orland Park Police Department at (708) 403-4111.