Yorkville PD: This Thanksgiving, Buckle Up, Have A Sober Driver

YORKVILLE, IL — The Yorkville Police Department reminds motorists to buckle up and drive sober over the Thanksgiving holiday so that everyone gets to the Thanksgiving table safely.

According to a news release from the police department, one of the busiest travel times of the year is coming up, and data shows that more than 30 percent of motor vehicle crash fatalities in Illinois involving an alcohol-impaired driver, and that drug-involved driving is increasing.

To combat these trends, the Yorkville Police Department is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies in a statewide effort to save lives by stepping up enforcement of seat belt and impaired driving laws. Therefore, police announced that motorists will see this increase in safety patrols from Nov. 20 over the holiday weekend through the morning of Nov. 30.

According to the news release, police said that throughout the year, many traffic deaths and injuries could be prevented with the click of a seat belt or the choice to designate a sober driver.

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“On regular days and holidays alike, law enforcement too often see the results of driving impaired and not wearing a seat belt,” Deputy Chief Mikolasek said. “They are both tragic and preventable. Whether you’re driving cross-country or across the street, please remember to wear your seat belt and make a plan for a sober ride home.”

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Police added that the Thanksgiving enforcement effort is made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by IDOT as part of the statewide Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket campaigns.