CHICAGO – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the Illinois State Police (ISP) today issued this simple message to Halloween revelers this weekend: Keep the party off the road. Even the best disguise won’t make you invisible to law enforcement cracking down on drunk drivers and seat belt law violators throughout the weekend.
Joining ISP will be local law enforcement throughout Illinois to pull over and arrest impaired drivers as part of the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaign. Police will have zero tolerance for impaired drivers.
“The scariest part of Halloween is not the spooky costumes and scary pranks, it’s the alcohol- and drug-impaired drivers,” said IDOT Director of Traffic Safety Jared Thornley. “All too often, partygoers don’t plan ahead and choose to drive impaired, but a costume can’t disguise drunk driving. Planning for a safe ride home should be part of everyone’s party preparations.”
Between 2010 and 2014 in Illinois, 16 people lost their lives and 1,474 were injured in motor vehicle crashes on Halloween. Five of those fatalities were a result of crashes that involved alcohol.
“The ISP would like for everyone to have a safe and enjoyable Halloween weekend,” said ISP Colonel Tad Williams. “If your Halloween celebration includes alcohol, remember to celebrate responsibly and designate a driver. Motorists are also reminded to watch their speed, limit distractions, and buckle up on their way to and from the celebration.”
