University News
OPS, MPD: Holiday Traffic Safety Enforcement
November 12, 2013
MACOMB, IL -- As part of a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Western Illinois University Office of Public Safety (OPS) and the Macomb Police Department (MPD) have joined together to enforce traffic laws during the holiday season.
From Nov. 14 through Dec. 1, OPS and MPD will conduct extra patrol/enforcement to enforce seat belt and impaired driving laws. According to OPS Sgt. Curt Bilbrey, the targeted Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over campaigns will run through September 2014.
"Whether you're simply driving across town or across the state during the holiday season, make sure everyone in your car is wearing a seat belt," Bilbrey added. "Not only is it the law, it's yet another way to keep you and your passengers safe in the event of an accident."
During the 2012 Thanksgiving holiday, in Illinois, nine vehicle occupants died in traffic crashes, with three of those deaths involving a drunk driver, and more than 700 individuals were injured in accidents. According to the U.S. Department of Transportation National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, seat belts saved nearly 12,000 lives last year.
"Our goal is to save more lives so we'll be out in full force," Bilbrey said. "Additional enforcement will take place late at night when seat belt usage is at its lowest, and impaired driving is the biggest problem."
Posted By: University Communications (U-Communications@wiu.edu)
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