FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

GURNEE, IL –-Beginning June 16th and running through July 4th, 2010 the Gurnee Police Department will be conducting enhanced impaired driver enforcement activities throughout the village.

Funded by a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, these enforcement actions are being conducted in order to remove “buzzed,” drunk and drugged drivers from the roadways.

Every 45 minutes and 32 times a day, someone in the United States dies in an alcohol-impaired traffic crash according to research by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. That is why the Gurnee Police Department, along with other highway safety, community health and law enforcement officials are reminding everyone this Fourth of July that if you are caught driving while drunk, you will be arrested.

Chief Robert Jones points to recent statistics to underscore the importance of this campaign. In 2008 during the five-day July 4th holiday period there were a total of 491 traffic related fatalities nationwide. Out of that number, 43 percent involved a driver or motorcycle rider with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher.

“Too many people still fail to understand that alcohol and driving don’t mix. Impaired driving is no accident—nor is it a victimless crime. It’s vitally important that we bring this tragic situation to an end.” Chief Robert D. Jones.