Illinois State Police Troop 9 Commander, Lieutenant Bruce Waggoner, has announced that Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) patrols will be conducted in Effingham, Marion, and Wabash counties throughout the month of May.
The NITE patrols are designed to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action against impaired driving and occupant restraint violations, particularly between the hours of 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
Officials say the number of unrestrained drivers killed in traffic crashes is significantly higher at night. When combined with impaired driving, the risk of fatal crashes increases during these overnight hours. Troopers assigned to the patrols will be watching closely for signs of impaired driving, as well as improper seatbelt and child restraint use, speeding, distracted driving, and other violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
According to the Illinois State Police, alcohol and drug impairment is estimated to be a factor in more than 47 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. Additionally, more than half of all fatal crashes in the state occur during nighttime hours.
The NITE patrols aim to reduce these numbers by removing impaired drivers from the road and ensuring motorists are properly restrained. The enforcement effort is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.