The Elmhurst Police Department is looking for drunk drivers this holiday season as part of a special year-end Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaign.

“Beginning Dec. 16 and continuing into the New Year, motorists will see stepped-up enforcement for anyone driving impaired, distracted or without a seatbelt,” said Commander Jim Gandy. “We are helping Illinois drivers reach “zero fatalities to reality,” which means zero tolerance for drunk and drug-impaired driving this holiday season.”

Too often, drivers take to the roads after drinking at holiday celebrations. Data shows the decision to drive while impaired can have serious and sometimes deadly consequences. In 2015, 35,092 people in the United States were killed in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and 29% (10,265) died in crashes where the driver had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) over the .08 limit.

Drunk or drug-impaired driving offenders often serve jail time, lose their driver’s license, are charged higher insurance rates, and pay dozens of other unanticipated expenses ranging from attorney fees, court costs, vehicle tow fees and/or repairs, and lost wages due to time off from work. However, the ultimate price of impaired driving is traffic crashes resulting in injury or death.

Follow these trips to stay safe on the road this holiday season:

If you will be drinking, plan not to drive. Arrange for a safe ride home or designate a sober driver before you start the party.

If you become intoxicated or drug-impaired, do not drive for any reason. Call a taxi, use public transportation, or phone a sober friend or family member.

If someone you know has been drinking, do not let that person get behind the wheel. Take their keys, take them home, or help them arrange a safe way home. 

If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact your local law enforcement agency. Your actions could help save someone’s life.

Buckle your seatbelt, regardless of where you are seated. By law, all occupants, in all seating positions, must wear a seatbelt.

Remember, Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

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