Ongoing through January 2nd, law enforcement across the state will be out in full force to get drivers who are drunk or high off the roads. Illinois State Police troopers and the Illinois Department of Transportation are reminding folks to Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over. They are committed to zero tolerance for impaired drivers.
More than 27,000 people were arrested for driving under the influence in Illinois last year. Three hundred people in Illinois were killed in alcohol-related crashes.
Make a plan to get home from holiday celebrations safely, whether that means taking public transit, clicking an app on your phone for a ride share, or using a designated driver. First-time offenders lose their driving privileges for 6 months to a year and pay a fine as high as $2,500. If a driver gets stopped and refuses the breathalyzer test, they lose their driving privileges on the spot.
A DUI results in a permanent mark on your driving record, disqualifying offenders from many jobs, Kohen said. Offenders face multiple court dates with thousands of dollars in court costs, legal fees and fines. A revoked driver’s license means more money to get to work and get around. Once driving privileges are reinstated, a DUI conviction means years of paying higher auto insurance rates.
