Police Presence Already on Indiana and Illinois Roads: Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over
In this unprecedented time of a global pandemic, a shocking reality revealed by the National Safety Council’s researchers confirms that while quarantines have been instituted in Illinois, Indiana, and the rest of the country, more lives have been lost in 2020 per every mile driven than ever before. In other words, the national traffic death rate has climbed during a time when many thought our roads would be safer, given the curtailed traffic numbers during the Stay-at-Home Orders.
The NSC reports the death rate on our roadways was an astounding 23% higher in May 2020 than the same time period last year.
Accordingly, the NSC and other safety advocates are concerned about the upcoming three-day weekend as we celebrate Labor Day on Monday, September 7, 2020. Officially, the holiday begins on Friday, September 4th at six o’clock in the evening and continues through midnight on Monday.
See, “National Safety Council: 390 Fatalities May Occur on Roadways During Labor Day Weekend,” published by the National Safety Council on August 25, 2020.
Estimated Roadway Accidents Over 2020 Labor Day Holiday
This weekend, the NSC is predicting 390 people will die in traffic accidents and another 44,400 accident victims will suffer serious or permanent bodily injuries in roadway crashes.
From NSC president and CEO Lorraine Martin:
“Travel during holiday weekends always is risky, and this year our roads haven’t been safe even when traffic has been light. We hope drivers take these figures as a reminder to slow down, pay attention and drive like their lives depend on it, because they do.”
Labor Day Traffic Accidents: Preventable Deaths Caused By Known Dangers
Both safety advocates and law enforcement predict that a great majority of these fatal traffic accidents will occur because of drunk driving. NSC, for instance, points to 2018 records where 38% of the fatalities were attributed to alcohol-impairment.
It is vital for anyone choosing to drink an alcoholic beverage and thereafter get behind the wheel of a motor vehicle to understand how even small amounts of alcohol can impair the driver’s ability to function. As the NHTSA explains, a blood alcohol concentration of .02 will result in a decline in visual function (ability to see) as well as a decline in the ability to perform two tasks at the same time.
However, it is not illegal to drive a motor vehicle with a BAC of .02 in the State of Indiana if you are over the age of 21. This means that even if you are not legally drunk, you may still be driving under the influence of alcohol with an impairment that may result in a serious or deadly crash.
For more on drunk driving and motor vehicle accidents, read:
- Factors in Drunk Driving Fatal Car Crashes in Indiana and Illinois
- How Many Drunk Drivers Are There in Indiana and Illinois? The Danger of Drunk Driving Accidents Is High
- Alcohol-Related Traffic Deaths Totals Grossly Inaccurate: Drunk Driving As A Cause Of Death Not Properly Documented in Death Certificates
Vigilant Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign Already In Place
Law enforcement in Indiana and Illinois are already preparing for this upcoming holiday weekend. Police departments and state agencies alike are participating in the national “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” campaign overseen by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
“One person is killed about every 50 minutes in a drunk driving crash. This Labor Day holiday, and every day, make it a point to drive sober. Just one drink before driving can put you and others in danger, because alcohol impairs thinking, reasoning and muscle coordination. In fact, during the Labor Day holiday weekend from 2014-2018, 44% of traffic deaths involved drivers who had been drinking — 945 people died.”
Early Enforcement in Indiana and Illinois
In some parts of Indiana and Illinois, the Campaign is already well underway. The Indiana State Police began focusing upon drunk driving on August 18, 2020. Read, “Indiana State Police Resume Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign as Labor Day Approaches,” written by Jake Thomas and published by WFFT on August 18, 2020. Officers in Marshall County and La Porte County, alongside police departments in Rensselaer and elsewhere across the state have started focusing upon drunk driving beginning on August 20, 2020.
The Sheriff’s Department in Lake County, Illinois, began its “traffic safety campaign” on August 20, 2020, as did the Naperville Police Department and the Joliet Police Department, among others.
Warned Lake County Sheriff John Idleburg:
“If you’re celebrating this Labor Day, remember to designate a sober driver and don’t let friends or family members drive drunk. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair judgment and reaction times, making driving unsafe.”
Wrongful Death Claims: Fatal Drunk Driving Accident in Indiana or Illinois
Sadly, there will be people who perish in these preventable accidents over the upcoming Labor Day Holiday Weekend and many more who suffer severe or serious and life-altering injuries in a crash caused by an impaired driver.
Both the States of Indiana and Illinois have wrongful death laws on the books to help those who have lost a loved one to an impaired driver. Personal injury laws are also in place for victims who thankfully survive the crash, but have sustained serious bodily injuries as a result.
These cases will need to be investigated in order to determine with admissible evidence that impairment was a factor in the event. Blood alcohol count testing, as well as witness accounts and other documentation may support a claim against the impaired driver as well as others who breached a duty of care in allowing the driver to take the wheel.
For more, read:
- Liable for Drunk Driving Accidents in Indiana and Illinois: Social Party Hosts, Bars, Restaurants
- Drunk Driving Accident: Who’s Legally Liable? Answer is Different for Indiana and Illinois
- Drunk Driving Accidents in Indiana and Illinois: Danger of a Fatal DUI Crash.
Please stay cautious against the danger of a drunk driver over this Labor Day Holiday Weekend! Be careful out there!
