With 2023 coming to a close, the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police, and nearly 200 law enforcement agencies across the state are reminding the public they’ll be working overtime now through the beginning of 2024 to keep roads safe for everyone.  Through December 14th of this year, 1,213 people have lost their lives in fatal crashes.  This is 11 more than during the same period in 2022.  

ISP is encouraging you to get into the practice of designating a sober driver and not letting friends and family members drive impaired.  Plan ahead.  If you know you are going out and you plan to drink or use cannabis, plan for a sober driver to take you home.  Look to public transportation, your community’s sober ride program, cabs, or a ride-sharing app if available.  If you see a friend or family member who is about to drive impaired, take the keys away and plan to get them home safely.

IDOT’s Director of Highways Project Implementation, Steve Travia, says to wear your seat belt, don’t drive distracted, and slow down.  He continued by stressing, that the laws don’t exist to make your life miserable, they exist to keep you and others safe. 

ISP Division of Patrol Colonel, Chris Owen, echoed that statement saying that while more people are out celebrating, ISP has more troopers working the road to stop drunk and dangerous drivers before they cause a crash.  

The heightened law enforcement is made possible through federal funds administered by IDOT and coincides with a massive multimedia campaign called “It’s Not a Game.”