Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 9 Commander, Lieutenant Bruce Waggoner, has announced that ISP will conduct Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) patrols throughout Effingham, Hamilton, Marion, and Wabash counties during April. The initiative is aimed at preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action on impaired driving and occupant restraint violations, with a particular focus on the hours between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Statistics show that the number of unrestrained drivers killed in traffic crashes is significantly higher at night, and when combined with impaired driving, the risk of fatal accidents increases even further during these critical hours. ISP officers participating in the NITE patrols will be on the lookout for motorists exhibiting signs of impaired driving, improper seatbelt and child restraint usage, speeding, distracted driving, and other violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
Alcohol and drug impairment are estimated to be factors in more than 47% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. Additionally, over half of all fatal crashes in the state occur at night. The NITE program enables officers to step up efforts to remove impaired drivers from the road and ensure that all occupants are properly buckled up.
Funding for this project is provided through the Illinois Department of Transportation.