March 23, 2018
Update: Enforcement Results
The Champaign Police Department announced the enforcement results of the joint Roadside Safety Check conducted in Champaign near the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Springfield Avenue from 9 pm to 2 am on St. Patrick’s Day. The Roadside Safety Check was a partnership with the Illinois State Police, the University of Illinois Police Department, and the Champaign County Sheriff’s Office. During the St. Patrick’s Day safety enforcement effort, the following actions were taken:
- · 2 Driving Under the Influence arrests
- · 1 Felony arrest
- · 1 Seat belt citation
- · 16 Uninsured motorist citations
- · 3 Driving under Suspension/Revocation citations
- · 44 Written warnings for various offenses
posted, March 16, 2018
The Champaign Police Department is joining the Illinois Department of Transportation this St. Patrick’s Day to help stop drunk and drug-impaired drivers through its high-visibility enforcement campaign, “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
Widely celebrated across the country, very unfortunately, St. Patrick’s Day has traditionally been one of the deadliest holidays due to the number of impaired drivers on the road. Over the St. Patrick’s Day weekend, Champaign Police and law enforcement officers across the state will be conducting traffic safety stops and will show zero tolerance for impaired driving and seat-belt law violators in an effort to reduce these numbers.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 10,000 people are killed each year in our country due to drunk driving – a completely avoidable incident. Law enforcement officials seek the support of families, friends, establishments, party organizers and others to help enforce responsible drinking and to help save lives.
The Champaign Police Department provides the following safety tips and laws to consider as people celebrate this weekend, and anytime alcohol is involved:
• Arrange for travel plans before any drinking begins. Coordinate a designated driver or ride share alternative ahead of time.
• Exercise enhanced safety while commuting – as a pedestrian, cyclist, or motorist. Being intoxicated comes with delayed reflexes, reduced coordination, impaired memory, poor judgement, and other impairments that can impact everyone on the road.
• Look out for each other—even strangers! If you see an individual who needs assistance, call 9-1-1 so they can be evaluated and provided safety. It is critically important to call for help when someone is in medical distress or if their safety is otherwise threatened. As a note, the State of Illinois’ Medical Amnesty Law allows people who are drinking underage to call 9-1-1 for a friend without the risk of receiving a citation.
• Per Illinois Social Host Laws, if you host a party and underage guests possess alcohol or are drinking, you will be physically arrested and charged with a “Class A” misdemeanor.
• Also according to Illinois Social Host Laws, if a person is injured or killed as a result of your party, even after they have left the party, you will be arrested and charged with a “Class 4” felony.
• Have a friend who is about to drink and drive? Take the keys away and make arrangements to get your friend home safely.
The Illinois St. Patrick’s Day “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign is funded by federal highway safety funds administered through the Illinois Department of Transportation.