DUI ENFORCEMENT

The Traffic Section coordinates the Department’ DUI Enforcement efforts.  227 DUI arrests were made in 2004.  Two Traffic Section Deputies are assigned to evening shifts during times that DUI arrests are routinely made.  On deputy’s salary is funded through a grant that the Traffic Section applied for and received from the Illinois Department of Transportation.

25 squad cars are equipped with state-of-the-art video camera systems that are routinely used to videotape the actions of offenders arrested for DUI.  Several of these video systems were awarded to the Sheriff’s Office because of our past DUI efforts.

Deputies also have access to 28 Portable Breath Testing Devices, to aid their efforts of conducting field sobriety tests to suspected DUI offenders.  All department issued PBT’s are calibrated by a Traffic Section deputy every 91 days, in accordance with State guidelines.

A Portable Intoxilyzer unit was purchased in 2001 and is used for Roadside Safety Checks.

Illinois Vehicle Code

Driving Under The Influence

Driving Under the Influence is defined as operating a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol and / or drugs. Alcohol affects your overall ability to drive a vehicle. Alcohol slows your reaction time and inhibits your response to act in an emergency. Alcohol affects your ability to concentrate and think clearly.

Nearly three out of ten Americans will be involved in alcohol related crashes in their lifetime.

Each year, approximately 8% of police reported motor vehicle crashes are alcohol-related and each year approximately 310,000 persons suffer injuries due to alcohol related crashes.

Blood Alcohol Concentration

Blood Alcohol Concentration of .08 or greater is level at which driver is considered intoxicated in the State of Illinois.

In 2002, 45.83% of fatally injured drivers tested were found to have been drinking and 39.54% had a B.A.C. Of .08 or greater.

Drunk Driving and Young People

16-24 year olds attribute to approximately 15.25% of licensed drivers in the state but are involved in approximately 38.85% of fatal alcohol-related crashes.

In 2002, 32% of fatally injured teen aged drivers were legally intoxicated (age 16-19)

Nearly 33% of fatally injured teen aged drivers ages 16-19 were drinking prior to crashes.