Holiday safety check at Springfield location nets 89 citations and warnings

[MAY 31, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Police announced the results of a roadside safety check during the late evening hours Monday and early morning hours Tuesday. The detail was conducted at Taylor Avenue and Stevenson Drive in Springfield by 13 Illinois State Police District 9 officers, eight Springfield Police Department officers and one Sangamon County Sheriff's Department officer.

Alcohol is a significant factor in over 40 percent of fatal crashes in Illinois. Safety checks are designed to remove alcohol-impaired drivers; however, when other violations are observed -- such as driving with a suspended or revoked license, operating a vehicle without a valid registration or insurance, or safety belt violations -- enforcement action may be taken.

The following citations and written warnings were issued at the safety check:

• Registration offenses: 11 citations, 3 warnings
• Driver's license offenses: 8 citations, 4 warnings
• Occupant restraint offenses: 20 citations, 0 warnings
• Driving under the influence of alcohol: 0 citations, 0 warnings
• Other alcohol and drug arrests: 9 citations, 0 warnings
• Total enforcement activity: 66 citations, 23 warnings

Roadside safety checks are part of the "You Drink and Drive, You Lose" campaign and are funded through a grant from the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

[News release]