Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 9 Commander Brian Wilson has announced that ISP will conduct enhanced Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) patrols in Effingham and Wayne counties during December. The NITE patrols are specifically designed to prevent and detect impaired driving and occupant restraint violations, especially between the high-risk hours of 9:00 pm and 6:00 am.
Statistics show that more unrestrained drivers are killed in nighttime crashes than during the day, and impaired driving further increases the risk of fatal accidents during these hours. Officers assigned to NITE patrols will be on the lookout for signs of impaired driving, improper seatbelt and child restraint use, speeding, distracted driving, and other Illinois Vehicle Code violations.
Alcohol and drug impairment are factors in over 47% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois, and more than half of all fatal crashes occur at night. “The NITE program enables our officers to focus on removing dangerous, impaired drivers from the roads and ensuring everyone wears their seatbelt,” said Commander Wilson.
This program is funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation.