By Brian Stanley
bstanley@buglenewspapers.com
Police were depending on more than luck to keep Shorewood roads safe from drunk drivers during St. Patrick’s Day weekend.
Officers were assigned to a special enforcement detail that targeted drivers who were operating unsafe vehicles, driving with a suspended license, not wearing seat belts, transporting open liquor or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
“The message is simple and clear – we have zero tolerance for drunk drivers in Shorewood,” Deputy Chief Eric Allen said.
Alcohol and drug impairment remain a significant factor in more than 40 percent of all fatal crashes in Illinois and 29 percent nationwide. Drugs account for 16 percent of all traffic crashes nationwide.
The roadside safety checks are funded by federal traffic safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety.
Allen said the checkpoint was to be set up for one night during the weekend at a well-traveled location in the village, but did not want to provide specifics in advance of the operation so the road was not avoided.
Based on the number of available officers, every “X” number of cars that pass the checkpoint will be diverted through the cones for an inspection.
“It’s whatever that number will be so that it is completely random and we’re not stopping specific vehicles,” Allen noted. “Drivers are flagged into the zone where an officer will walk around their vehicle and ask to see their license and proof of insurance.”
Allen said police are required to assume the license and insurance card are valid unless there is probable cause for further investigation.
“If they aren’t buckled up, have signs of impairment or an equipment violation like a headlight out or a tail light out, the officer has to accept the license and insurance at face value,” Allen said. “An overwhelming majority of the vehicles that are stopped for inspection will be finished in less than two minutes.”
Allen said few drivers have complained during previous traffic checkpoints.
“It’s almost surprising, but a lot of drivers tell us they appreciate that we’re out doing this,” he said. Shorewood Police have also run traffic safety checkpoints for Super Bowl Sunday, Halloween and other holidays depending on grant availability.
Information provided by the Drive Sober Illinois organization said 16 percent of traffic deaths involving children are alcohol related. Nationally, over 1 million drivers are arrested on DUI charges each year and over 100 million drivers have admitted operating a vehicle under the influence at least once in their lives.
Court costs, higher insurance, license reinstatement, mandatory classes, monitoring devices, legal fees and loss of income put the average cost of a first-time DUI conviction at more than $10,000.