POLICE BOOST PATROLS TO COMBAT DRUNKEN DRIVERS

Illinois law enforcement agencies are taking a zero-tolerance stand on drunken driving and stepping up patrols around the state this holiday season. "Unfortunately, the holiday season can be one of the deadliest times of year because of drunk driving," said Richard Allan of the Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Traffic Safety.

"Local law enforcement will be out in force this holiday season to combat drunk drivers." During the 2006 holiday season, 14 of every 23 traffic-crash fatalities involved alcohol, Allan said. But overall, 2006 was the safest year on Illinois roads since 1924, with a total of 1,254 fatalities. This year, as of Dec. 17, the state has had 20 fewer traffic fatalities than last year through the same date, with 1,234 people killed in car crashes.

In Madison County in 2006, 31 people were killed in traffic crashes, and of those, 12 involved alcohol. In St. Clair County in 2006, 51 people were killed in traffic crashes. Of those deaths, 36 involved alcohol. Monroe County had six traffic fatalities, two involving alcohol, and in Randolph County, four people were killed in traffic crashes, two involving alcohol.

"We must do better and we are serious about decreasing drunk driving fatalities," Allan said. From now until Jan. 1, state, local and county police will enforce hundreds of roadside safety checks throughout the state during the "You Drink and Drive. You Lose" enforcement campaign. "Due to the increased number of vehicles on the roadways during the holiday season and those who drive impaired, the potential for disaster is out there," said Illinois State Police Region 4 Commander Capt. Jay Keeven. Region 4 covers 41 counties in Southern Illinois.

As of Nov. 30, Illinois State Police officers made 2,042 arrests for driving under the influence in District 4, Keeven said. Of the 261 traffic crash deaths in District 4 this year, 44 percent of those were alcohol-related.

"It is unfathomable that we continue to make those kinds of arrests," Keeven said.

The roadside safety checks and saturation patrols are paid for with federal traffic safety funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Traffic Safety. The department is providing law enforcement agencies with $750,000 to pay for police overtime for the patrols and $450,000 to inform the public of the campaign.

During the campaign, officers will also enforce Scott's Law, also known as the "move over law" that requires motorists to yield to emergency vehicles on the road. St. Clair County Sheriff Mearl Justus reminded drivers in St. Clair County that sheriff's deputies take a zero-tolerance stand on driving while drunk or otherwise impaired.

"If you drink and drive in this county, we're going to introduce you to some new bars," he said. More than 17,000 people die annually in the U.S. in traffic accidents involving alcohol, said Kristi Hosea, a victim services specialist for Mothers Against Drunk Driving. "Drunk driving is preventable," Hosea said. "Being a sober driver should not be a difficult decision. Let each of us make a commitment this season to be a sober driver."