State Police Encourage Safe Driving Both Off and On Road This Holiday Weekend

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Published on September 2 2016 10:28 am
Last Updated on September 2 2016 10:32 am
Written by Greg Sapp

Illinois State Police District 12 Commander, Captain Cory Ristvedt, reminds motorists to make safety their number one priority while driving during the Labor Day weekend.  This includes safe operation of all-terrain and recreational off-road vehicles. Several District 12 communities have experienced fatal ATV crashes.

“Operation of off-road recreational vehicles in a safe manner is imperative to arriving alive", said Captain Ristvedt. “When alcohol is added, the chance for error increases tremendously - and the effect can be deadly”, he added. The Labor Day weekend is one of the busiest periods for motorists in Illinois. Although the Illinois State Police (ISP) will be out patrolling Illinois roadways, it will take a combined effort to ensure a safe holiday weekend.

The ISP encourages motorists to avoid the fatal four: Speeding, driving under the influence, distracted driving, and failure to wear seatbelt. These are the four most common causes of fatal traffic crashes. An operator traveling at a faster speed will cover more ground and have less time to react to a hazards. This is true whether on or off road. Operate Alert and utilize safety equipment like seatbelts and helmets.

State police remind alcohol is often present during Labor Day weekend celebrations and it is also a factor in one-third of fatal traffic crashes.

The “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign began on August 22 and concludes on September 5. During the campaign, ISP officers across the state will show zero tolerance for impaired driving.