PESOTUM, IL (Chambana Today) – The Illinois State Police (ISP) have released results from Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) patrols conducted in Champaign County throughout June, focusing on cracking down on impaired driving and occupant restraint violations during late-night hours.
According to Troop 7 Commander Heather Apperson, officers conducted patrols between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., a window when over half of all fatal crashes in Illinois typically occur.
Enforcement results included 12 seat belt violations, 2 driver’s license offenses, 2 registration offenses, 1 insurance violation, and 1 alcohol/drug citation. No DUI arrests were made during the patrols. In total, officers issued 36 citations or arrests, along with 4 written warnings.
Alcohol and drug impairment continues to play a deadly role on Illinois roads, contributing to more than 47% of all fatal crashes statewide. Across the U.S., an alcohol-related traffic death occurs every 39 minutes.
“These nighttime patrols help us identify and remove impaired drivers while ensuring all occupants are properly restrained,” said Apperson. “It’s about saving lives.”
The NITE initiative is part of an ongoing traffic safety effort funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).