PESOTUM, Ill. (Chambana Today) — The Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 7 will ramp up patrols across Champaign, Macon, and Vermilion counties this October as part of a coordinated effort to crack down on impaired driving, seatbelt violations, and other roadway offenses, according to Troop 7 Commander Heather Apperson.
Three separate safety initiatives—Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE), Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP), and Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) patrols—will be conducted throughout the month. All are funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation. “Our mission is to reduce fatalities and keep dangerous drivers off the road,” said Apperson. “These patrols allow us to focus resources where they’re needed most—especially during high-risk times and in high-traffic areas.”
ACE Patrols: Targeting Impaired Drivers
ACE patrols will focus on identifying and removing drivers impaired by alcohol or drugs. Officers will also watch for unsafe driving, suspended or revoked licenses, open alcohol containers, distracted driving, and child safety seat violations.
Alcohol and drug impairment are factors in more than 47% of fatal crashes in Illinois. Nationwide, an alcohol-related traffic death occurs every 39 minutes.
OREP: Buckle Up or Pay Up
OREPs will center on enforcement of seatbelt and child safety seat laws, including backseat passengers. ISP emphasizes that nearly half of people killed in crashes are unbuckled, and seatbelts are estimated to save over 14,000 lives annually.
Officers will provide education, perform child safety seat checks, and issue citations as needed under the banner of the “Click It or Ticket” campaign.
NITE Patrols: Safety After Dark
NITE patrols will take place in Champaign County between 9 p.m. and 6 a.m., targeting a time when fatal crashes involving unrestrained or impaired drivers are most common. These patrols focus on both DUI enforcement and occupant restraint compliance.
According to ISP, over half of all fatal crashes in Illinois occur at night, often involving drivers who are unbuckled and under the influence. For more information or to report impaired drivers, contact the Illinois State Police Troop 7 at isp.illinois.gov.
