SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WICS) — As the final weekend of summer approaches, the Illinois Department of Transportation and Illinois State Police are sending a clear message: Driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or other harmful substances is no fun.

To ensure safety on our roadways, over 200 local law enforcement agencies, along with IDOT and ISP, support the national safety campaign “Drive Sober or Get Pulled.”

“An arrest for driving under the influence is a serious matter that can affect lives forever – and it is 100% preventable,” said Stephane B. Seck-Birhame, director of IDOT’s Office of Safety Programs and Engineering. “The consequences of driving under the influence of alcohol, cannabis or other harmful substances can result in hefty fines, legal fees, higher insurance premiums and, more importantly, costing your life or the life of someone else.”

During the campaign, which runs throughout Labor Day weekend, ISP and local police and sheriff departments will increase patrols and enforcement, reminding the public that driving under the influence can have sobering real-life consequences.

According to IDOT data, 11 fatal traffic accidents occurred in Illinois last year over the holiday weekend, resulting in 14 fatalities. Three of the accidents were caused by alcohol, and six of the 14 fatalities were fatal.

“Driving under the influence is one of the top four fatal driving behaviors in Illinois for a reason,” said Colonel Chris Owen of the ISP Division of Patrol. “‘Drive sober or you’ll get pulled over’ is a message we’ve all heard a hundred times, but it’s more than just a warning. If we find you driving under the influence, we will pull you over to keep you and other road users safe.”

Please note these important safety tips:

• If you plan to use drugs or alcohol, give your keys to a sober driver who can drive you home safely, or call a taxi, rideshare service, or use your community’s sober driver program if available.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, contact the police.
• Remind your friends never to get into a car when the driver is impaired. If one of your friends tries to drive while impaired, take the keys from them and help them get home safely. Don’t worry about offending them – you might just save a life.

In addition to increasing the focus on the issue of driving under the influence of alcohol, the campaign also stresses the importance of using seatbelts and obeying speed limits and other traffic laws.