Gurnee, IL – The Independence Day Holiday is one of the most dangerous in Illinois when it comes to crashes, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

Beginning June 26^th and running through July 9^th 2017, the Gurnee Police Department will be conducting additional occupant protection and impaired driver enforcement patrols.

During the Independence Day holiday the Gurnee Police Department will be focusing on both impaired and unbuckled drivers.  This intensified enforcement effort will place emphasis on the late-night hours (9:00 p.m. through 6:00 a.m.) as statistics show a disproportionate number of traffic deaths occur late at night and involve an impaired driver and/or unbuckled motorist.

National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data shows that young drivers (18 to 34 years old) are especially at risk of driving drunk.  In fact, nationally, 58 percent of the drivers 18 to 34 years old who were killed over the July 4^th period in 2014 were driving drunk (BAC of .08 or higher).  Motorcycle operators are also overrepresented as the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes.  In 2014, more than a quarter (29 percent) of motorcycle operators in fatal crashes had BACs of .08 or higher.  In 2015, the nation saw a significant increase in drunk driving fatalities and this trend has not decreased.

These special enforcement activities are conducted with the goal to improve occupant protection use during the overnight hours.  The officers assigned to these patrols will have zero tolerance for traffic violations, particularly impaired driving, speeding, and the absence of safety belt and/or child seat use.