The Kewanee Police Department will join more than 200 law enforcement agencies across Illinois in participating in the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High. Get a DUI” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns this Labor Day.
Officers will be out in force, focused on stopping impaired driving, enforcing seat belt laws and reducing other dangerous driving behaviors until Sept. 8.
Police Chief Stephen Kijanowski said that during Labor Day weekend, there will also be an increased presence of officers assigned to the downtown area as part of this enforcement effort.
“Driving under the influence — whether it’s alcohol, cannabis or any other impairing drug — is not just dangerous, it’s illegal,” said Kijanowski. “We’ll be patrolling with zero tolerance for impaired driving, because our goal is to protect the people of Kewanee.”
Officers will also be enforcing seat belt laws as part of the “Click It or Ticket” initiative.
Buckling up is the most effective way to prevent serious injury or death in a crash, the chief said.
“Everyone in the vehicle — front seat or back — should be properly buckled, every trip,” he said.
In addition to alcohol, officers will be on the lookout for drivers impaired by cannabis and other drugs. Messages like “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High. Get a DUI” are part of a statewide education and enforcement effort aimed at saving lives.
This local effort is part of a larger statewide campaign supported by the Illinois Department of Transportation, which administers federal traffic safety funds aimed at saving lives and reducing crashes on Illinois roadways.
