SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Police (ISP) announced today an aggressive enforcement effort to reduce crashes and save lives over the Memorial Day weekend. As part of the national Combined Accident Reduction Effort (C.A.R.E.), special details are scheduled throughout the state to encourage seat belt use and crackdown on speeding, aggressive driving, DUI, and other offenses.
"Troopers will take a zero tolerance stance on anyone caught speeding, not wearing a seat belt, and not buckling-up their children," said Illinois State Police Director Sam W. Nolen. "Seat belts save lives, and if you choose not to buckle-up, don't expect a break from our officers. The ISP will join more than 300 Illinois law enforcement agencies in the Click It or Ticket initiative, and Operation ABC Mobilization by taking a zero tolerance policy on seat belts."
Nolen advised that in addition to regular patrols, officers will participate in roadside safety checks, DUI, air speed, and aggressive driving patrols, and LIDAR (laser radar) speed checks throughout the holiday weekend, which begins on Friday morning and continues through Monday evening.
Nolen said 25 people died on Illinois roadways as a result of 21 fatal crashes during the1999 Memorial Day weekend. The average number of traffic fatalities during the holiday weekend for the last seven years is 20.
In 1999, there were seven fatal crashes on Friday, nine on Saturday, five on Sunday, and none on Monday. Twelve of the crashes were alcohol-related. Nolen drew particular attention to the unfortunate fact that 18 of the victims were not restrained. "I hope all motorists will make this one of the safest Memorial Day weekends ever by buckling-up and obeying traffic laws," he concluded. |
