Increased Late-Night Enforcements through New Year's

An intensified enforcement effort by the  to combat late-night safety-belt violations and impaired driving began Monday. 

The effort will continue through New Year's. 

The enforcement "underscores the disproportionate number of traffic deaths occurring during late-night hours," according to a Woodridge police release. 

The midnight to 3 a.m. timeframe is the deadliest time on Illinois roadways, according to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The data also shows this time of day has the highest percentage of alcohol involvement and the lowest safety belt usage rate, the release said. 

“The numbers do not lie. We will be stepping up our late-night enforcement efforts, making sure impaired drivers are off the road and motorists are buckled up,” said Kate Andris, Woodridge Police Department spokesperson in the release. 

Woodridge police recommends designating a sober driver and not letting friends and family drive impaired. Other important tips include:

• Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys;
• If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely;
• Promptly report impaired drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement;
• Always wear your safety belt and make sure all passengers are buckled up. It is your best defense against an impaired driver.

The law enforcement crackdown runs concurrently with a media campaign that will remind motorists, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.”