Crystal Lake law enforcement officers found three percent of late night drivers on the Tuesday and Wednesday between Christmas and New Year’s Eve were intoxicated.
Three out of the ninety-nine vehicles stopped had alcohol impaired drivers. Forty-one citations were issued.
The effort was financed by a $1,375.08 grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The press release follows:
The Crystal Lake Police and Crystal Lake Park District Police Departments Joined “You Drink and Drive, You Lose” to Reduce Roadway Fatalities
Roadside Safety Check Enforcement – Results
During overnight hours from December 28th, to the 29th, 2010, The Crystal Lake Police Department, along with the Crystal Lake Park District Police, conducted a Roadside Safety Checkpoint Enforcement campaign.
This event was part of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program conducted for the Christmas-New Year’s holiday. Law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois participated in this statewide effort to save lives by removing impaired drivers off our roads and to encourage more motorists to buckle up during late-night hours.
During the four hour event; from 11:00 PM until 3:00 AM, Officers checked ninety-five vehicles traveling along US Rt. 14 for signs of impairment and safety violations.
The joint effort resulted in the issuance of a total of forty-one traffic citations, and the arrests of eight subjects. Citations issued were for
- seatbelt violations
- operation of uninsured motor vehicles
- motor vehicle equipment violation
- driver’s license violations and
- driving while under the influence of alcohol.
Three motorists were arrested for DUI, and four others were charged with drug offenses.
The recent law enforcement crackdown was funded by federal traffic safety funds through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety and is part of the statewide “You Drink & Drive. You Lose” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns.
More such events are planned for throughout the upcoming year.