The Park Forest Police Department is joining over 200 law enforcement agencies across Illinois in a high-visibility enforcement effort for the statewide campaigns “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High Get a DUI,” and “Click It or Ticket” this Labor Day.
This initiative will begin on this Friday and continue through the early morning hours of Sept. 2. Officers will increase patrols focused on preventing impaired driving, ensuring seatbelt compliance, and addressing other dangerous driving behaviors.
“Driving under the influence—whether it's alcohol, cannabis, or any impairing drug—is not only risky; it's illegal,” said Deputy Chief Kristopher Vallow. “This season, let’s make safety our shared priority. Our officers will be out in full force, and there will be no room for excuses.”
This heightened enforcement aligns with federally funded initiatives administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, including “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.” These efforts are reinforced by the “It’s Not a Game” media campaign, which emphasizes the deadly consequences of impaired driving.
According to the latest data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, during the 2023 Labor Day holiday period, from 6 p.m. on Sept. 1 to 5:59 a.m. on Sept. 5, there were 511 fatalities in traffic crashes nationwide. Of those, 185 fatalities—36%—involved at least one driver with a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of .08 or higher. Among drivers aged 18 to 34 who died during this period, 45% had BACs of .08 or higher.
Vallow said these alarming statistics highlight the importance of the Park Forest police's efforts to reduce risks on local roads throughout the holiday weekend.
“Buckling up is the most effective way to prevent serious injury or death in a crash,” Vallow emphasized. “Everyone in the vehicle—front seat or back—should be properly buckled for every trip.”
Residents are encouraged to plan ahead, designate a sober driver, or use ride-sharing services and other safe alternatives to avoid driving while impaired.