Oak Forest Police to Step Up Patrols for Labor Day Stretch

OAK FOREST, IL — The Oak Forest Police Department reminds residents to fasten their seat belts and drive sober during the Labor Day holiday or run the risk of receiving a ticket.

The police department is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and local law enforcement agencies across the state to save more lives by strongly enforcing seat belt and impaired driving laws.

The high-visibility “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown runs from August 22 through September 5. During this period, law enforcement across Illinois will show zero tolerance for impaired driving and seat belt law violators. Increased state and national messaging about the dangers of drunk and drugged driving and seatbelt usage coupled with increased officers on the road aim to reduce impaired driving in Oak Forest and Illinois.

“We need people to understand that impaired driving is a deadly crime,” said Deputy Chief Dominic D’Ambrosio. “Impaired driving is a massive problem in the United States, with more than 10,000 people dying annually. There are people who like to pretend that certain laws don’t apply to them, but to be clear: In every state, for every person, it is illegal to drive with a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.”

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has made it even easier to get home safely when you’ve been drinking with the free SaferRide mobile app, which is available through iTunes and Google Play. The app allows you to call pre-selected contacts or a taxi and identifies your location so you can be picked up.

Oak Forest Police will be stepping up seat belt enforcement, particularly at night when seat belt usage rates are at their lowest.

Deputy Chief D’Ambrosio wants you to know that always designating a sober driver and not letting friends drive drunk are just two simple steps to help avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for drunk driving. Other important tips include:

• Remember, you can be held liable and prosecuted if someone you serve is involved in a drunk-driving crash.
• Make sure all of your guests designate a sober driver in advance, or help arrange ride-sharing with other sober drivers.
• Serve lots of food and include lots of 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 drunk.
• Designate a sober driver before the party begins and give that person your car keys.
• If you do not have a designated driver, ask a sober friend for a ride home, 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 friends leave your sight if you think they are about to drive while drunk.
• Always buckle up – it is your best defense against a drunk driver.

The Labor Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” crackdown is made possible by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation.