Naperville Police Begin Late-Night Crackdown on Impaired Drivers

Drivers who don't want to get caught with the police lights in the rear-view mirror take note: the has started its late-night enforcement crackdown on impaired drivers in advance of the July 4 holiday.

The enforcement efforts will target impaired drivers and those not using seat belts, according to a Naperville Police Department news release.

“Nighttime is the most critical time for motor vehicle fatalities. Law enforcement is dedicated to the cause and will be stepping up our late-night enforcement efforts, making sure impaired drivers are off the road and motorists are buckled up,” said Traffic Sgt. Lee Martin in the news release.

The Naperville Police Department cites data from last year’s July 4 weekend —from 6 p.m. July 2 to midnight July 5— in which 10 people lost their lives in motor vehicle crashes in Illinois and seven of those fatalities involved a drunken driver.  Additionally, 780 people were injured in motor vehicle crashes during the holiday weekend last year. 

In an effort to cut down on impaired drivers, the Naperville Police Department will join the Illinois State Police and nearly 300 local police and sheriff’s departments in a statewide enforcement effort that started June 17 and continues through July 4, according to the news release.

More than $1 million in federal highway safety funds will be put toward this enforcement program, according to the news release.

The Naperville Police Department recommends two important tips to avoid a potential crash or arrest involving impaired driving, such as designating a sober driver and not letting friends or family members drive impaired. Other tips include:

• Plan ahead. Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys;
• If you are impaired, call a taxi, use mass transit or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely;
• Promptly report impaired drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement by pulling over and dialing 911;
• Make sure everyone in your vehicle wears their safety belt. It is your best defense against an impaired driver.