As the Labor Day holiday weekend approaches, signaling the last days of summer, many of us will be driving to visit friends and family near and far. To keep your families and loved ones safe, the Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation will be conducting the “Stay Alive on the I’s” enforcement initiative. Beginning this Friday, Aug. 29 at 2 p.m. through midnight and again on Monday, Sept. 1 from 10 a.m. through 8 p.m., State Troopers will be assigned to patrol each 10-mile section of ALL Illinois interstate highways.

Our officers will be diligently enforcing all traffic laws and watching closely for drivers who are impaired, driving too fast or driving recklessly. They will also be enforcing the occupant restraint laws. Your best chance of surviving a traffic crash and minimizing injuries to yourself and your passengers is to use your seat belt and properly secure children in required child safety seats and booster seats.

During the 2007 Labor Day weekend the State Police issued over 11,000 traffic citations and removed 171 drunken drivers from our highways. Unfortunately, eight people still lost their lives in traffic crashes.

Over the weekend you can expect to see multiple roadside safety checks and seat belt enforcement zones and an increased police presence as State Police, area police departments and sheriff’s offices work together to keep our highways safe.

Lastly, please remember that we need your help in keeping our highways safe. If you see a impaired driver, report them by calling 911. If alcohol will be part of your celebrations, remember to drink responsibly and use designated drivers to keep everyone safe.

Have a safe and enjoyable holiday!

Captain Jeff Hedrich
District 2 Commander
Illinois State Police

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