Chambana Sun

Champaign’s police department urges all residents to practice good safety habits over the Labor Day holiday weekend as the local force joins state and federal agencies in 2016’s “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign.

 

Together with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), which supports local efforts through federal traffic safety funding, the Champaign Police Department advises drivers of enhanced safety enforcements to prevent needless accidents.

 

The NHTSA stated that over 10,000 individuals died in alcohol-related driving incidents in 2013, with 161 occurring on Labor Day. Of those holiday crashes, over one-third — 38 percent — involved drunk drivers.

 

“We need people to understand that impaired driving is a deadly crime,” Sgt. Geoff Coon said. “It is not enough to simply hear these safety messages … we need people to put them into practice at all times, no matter the situation or celebration.”

 

The Champaign Police offer numerous tips on how to navigate holidays safely on the road, including planning ahead with contact numbers of close friends or family and designated drivers. Citizens are also encouraged to report erratic driving by pulling over and calling 9-1-1.

 

Additionally, hosts and servers must remember that they can be held responsible for any injuries incurred by guests involved in a drunk-driving crash.  Driving with a blood alcohol concentration of .08 or higher is illegal in Illinois.

 

Lastly, Champaign Police Department reminds all drivers and passengers to wear seat belts at all times in a moving vehicle.

 

NHTSA offers a free mobile app called SaferRide which can be downloaded via iTunes or Google Play and lets people contact a driver or taxi while pinpointing pickup location.