Illinois State Police Troop 9 will conduct special nighttime enforcement patrols across several area counties during August and September.
Troop 9 Commander Lieutenant Bruce Waggoner said the patrols will take place in Clay, Fayette, Wayne, Effingham, Marion, White and Hamilton counties, primarily between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.
Troopers will focus on impaired driving and seat belt violations, along with speeding, distracted driving, improper child restraints and other traffic violations.
ISP says alcohol and drug impairment are factors in more than 47% of fatal crashes in Illinois, while more than half of the state’s fatal crashes occur at night.
The Nighttime Enforcement program is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation and is designed to remove impaired drivers from the road and increase seat belt compliance.