Park Ridge Police Begin 4th of July Crackdown on Drunk Drivers, Seatbelt Violators

Information provided by the Park Ridge.

The Park Ridge Police Department plans an "intensified enforcement effort" that will focus on late-night hours during the 4th of July holiday weekend.

The crackdown is part of the statewide, Independence Day Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket effort. 

“Year in and year out, Independence Day is one of the deadliest holidays due to an increase in drunk-driving fatalities,” stated Police Chief Frank Kaminski, in a press release. “Too many people die each year due to those who choose to drive after drinking, so our officers will be out in full force this Fourth of July showing zero tolerance for drunk drivers and belt law violators.”

Park Ridge Police will join the Illinois State Police and hundreds of police and sheriff’s departments in a statewide enforcement effort that begins June 28, 2013 and runs through July 7, 2013. 

To avoid a potential crash or drunk driving arrest, Park Ridge Police recommend designating a sober driver and not allowing friends or family members drive drunk. Other important tips include: 

• Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys; 

• If you are drunk, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely; 

• Use your community’s designated driver program 

• Promptly report drunk drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement by pulling over and dialing 911; 

• Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears their seat belt. It is your best defense against a drunk driver. 

The law enforcement crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety.