PESOTUM, IL (Chambana Today) — The Illinois State Police (ISP) have launched a series of targeted enforcement efforts across Central Illinois during October and November, aimed at improving highway safety and reducing traffic fatalities. These initiatives span multiple counties and focus on impaired driving, seatbelt usage, distracted driving, and nighttime enforcement.

Troop 7 Commander Heather Apperson announced multiple programs under the ISP’s ongoing public safety operations, all funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

1. Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) Patrols

October Results – Macon & Vermilion Counties:

• Other Alcohol/Drug Citations: 2

• Occupant Restraint Offenses: 12

• Registration Offenses: 3

• Driver’s License Offenses: 3

• Insurance Violations: 7

• Total Citations/Arrests: 40

• Written Warnings: 13

Upcoming November Patrols – Champaign County

ISP will conduct additional ACE patrols in Champaign County in November, targeting:

• Impaired driving

• Illegal transportation/consumption of alcohol or drugs

• Unlicensed/suspended drivers

• Improper restraint use

2. Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) Patrols – November

Patrols between 9:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. in Macon and Vermilion counties will focus on:

• DUI enforcement

• Seatbelt and child safety seat violations

• Speeding

• Distracted driving

According to ISP, more than half of fatal crashes in Illinois occur at night, and the rate of unrestrained deaths increases after dark.

3. Roadside Safety Checks (RSC) – November

Scheduled in Champaign County, these high-visibility checks will focus on:

• Impaired drivers

• Suspended/revoked licenses

• Open alcohol containers

• Seatbelt use

• Distracted driving

“Every 39 minutes, someone dies in an alcohol-related crash in the U.S.,” said ISP. “RSCs combine awareness with action.”

4. Distracted Driving Enforcement – November

Enforcement patrols in Champaign, Macon, and Vermilion counties will crack down on:

• Texting while driving

• Streaming, browsing, or recording video while driving

• Phone use in school and work zones

• All phone use by drivers under 18 and school bus drivers

Key Facts from NHTSA:

• Over 3,000 killed annually in distracted driving crashes

• Texting takes eyes off the road for 5 seconds—enough to travel a football field at 55 mph

• Nearly 1 in 10 injury crashes involve distraction

5. Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols (STEP) – November

Targeting the Fatal Four violations:

• Impaired driving

• Seatbelt violations

• Speeding

• Distracted driving

STEP patrols will be held in Vermilion, Macon, and Champaign counties. ISP says both daytime and nighttime patrols will increase.

6. Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP)

October Results – Macon & Vermilion Counties:

• Safety Belt Citations: 23

• Total Citations: 32

• Written Warnings: 11

November Patrols – Coles, Macon & Vermilion Counties

Officers will monitor:

• Seatbelt usage (front and back seats)

• Child safety seat compliance

• Passenger safety education

Summary: Central Illinois Patrol Schedule Highlights