SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies are reminding motorists to buckle up and drive sober this Thanksgiving holiday.
I-DOT Spokesperson Paul Wappel says the ISP and local police are beefing up patrols in anticipation of increased holiday traffic across the state through Monday.
“There’s going to be extra law enforcement out and about, checking to make sure people are driving sober, they’re wearing their seat belt and are buckled up,” Wappel says.
In particular, police are concerned about college students that are home for the holiday.
“The day before Thanksgiving is sometimes called Black Out Wednesday, where college students go out drinking with friends, just please don’t drink and drive…have a sober friend or family member take you home,” Wappel says.
I-DOT says 12 people lost their lives on Illinois roads over Thanksgiving weekend last year.
ISP and local law enforcement agencies are teaming up with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration through Nov. 28 for the Click It or Ticket high-visibility enforcement campaign.
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