Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 9 Commander, Lieutenant Bruce Waggoner, has announced that ISP will conduct Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) patrols in Effingham and White counties throughout the month of June. These patrols are designed to prevent and detect impaired driving and occupant restraint violations, focusing especially on the hours between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m.
According to ISP, the risk of fatal crashes increases dramatically at night, particularly when drivers are unrestrained or impaired by alcohol or drugs. Statistics show that alcohol and drug impairment contribute to more than 47% of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois, and more than half of these deadly incidents occur during nighttime hours.
During the NITE patrols, officers will be on the lookout for motorists exhibiting signs of impaired driving, improper seatbelt or child restraint use, speeding, distracted driving, and other violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code.
“The number of unrestrained drivers killed in traffic crashes is significantly higher at nighttime, and when combined with impaired driving, it results in even more traffic deaths during these critical hours,” said Lieutenant Waggoner. “The NITE program allows our officers to work even harder at removing dangerous impaired drivers from the road and making sure everyone is buckled up.”
This enforcement effort is funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation and aims to increase safety for all motorists traveling during nighttime hours in Effingham and White counties.
For more information about the NITE program or traffic safety in Illinois, visit the Illinois State Police website.