Officers in the Collinsville Police Department will be working overtime March 12 – 17 on increased late-night patrols and roadside safety checks designed to crack down on impaired drivers.
The department announced Tuesday that it will participate in the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over/Click It or Ticket” initiative during the St. Patricks’ Day holiday period. The crackdown is also intended to reduce the number of drivers and passengers violating seatbelt laws.
The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over/Click It or Ticket” crackdown is made possible through federal traffic safety funds from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.
The Collinsville Police Department offered some party hosting tips.
If you are hosting a party:
- You can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in an impaired driving crash
- Make sure all of your guests designate a sober driver in advance or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers
- Serve generous amounts of food and non-alcoholic beverages at the party
- Keep the phone numbers for local cab companies handy and take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving impaired
If you are attending a party:
- Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys
- If you do not have a designated driver, call a cab, sober friend or family member to pick you up or just stay where you are and sleep it off until you are sober
- Never let a friend leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while impaired
- Always buckle up – it is still your best defense against an impaired driver
