In October, the Illinois State Police ramped up efforts to ensure safer roads in Whiteside and Winnebago Counties through the Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrols. These targeted operations led to significant enforcement activity, including one DUI citation, four other alcohol or drug-related citations, and multiple offenses ranging from registration violations to insurance issues.
Overall, 68 citations and arrests were made, alongside 32 written warnings. Such initiatives are crucial as alcohol and drug impairment accounts for over 30% of fatal crashes in Illinois. Funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation, the ACE program aligns with the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign, underscoring the relentless push to curb impaired driving and enhance road safety.
Lee, Stephenson, Whiteside, and Winnebago, witnessed heightened patrol activities focused on enforcing occupant restraint laws. These Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) were instrumental in supporting the Illinois State Police by ensuring that all vehicle occupants complied with safety belt regulations.
During these patrols, 58 safety belt citations and three child restraint citations were issued among a total of 127 citations and 26 written warnings. This initiative is a crucial reminder of the life-saving importance of proper seat belt and child restraint use, supported by funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation. The campaign stresses the critical message: lives can be saved simply by buckling up.
