PESOTUM, Ill. — The Illinois State Police (ISP) Troop 7 will conduct targeted Alcohol Countermeasure Enforcement (ACE) patrols in Champaign County and Occupant Restraint Enforcement Patrols (OREP) in Macon and Vermillion counties throughout February. These initiatives aim to reduce impaired driving, improve seatbelt compliance, and increase overall traffic safety.
Key points about the ACE and OREP programs:
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ACE patrols focus on:
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Detecting and taking enforcement action against impaired driving.
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Identifying motorists transporting open alcohol or showing signs of drug impairment.
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Enforcing vehicle code violations such as suspended or revoked licenses, unsafe driving, distracted driving, and improper child restraint usage.
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OREP patrols focus on:
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Ensuring all vehicle occupants, front and back, are properly buckled.
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Educating the public on child safety seat use and offering inspections.
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Enforcing seatbelt compliance to prevent fatalities.
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Safety impact:
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Alcohol and drug impairment contribute to more than 47% of fatal crashes in Illinois.
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Seatbelts save an estimated 14,000 lives each year; nearly half of all traffic fatalities involve unbelted occupants.
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Funding and slogans:
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Both programs are funded through the Illinois Department of Transportation.
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The campaigns operate under the well-known public safety slogans: “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket.”
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ISP emphasizes a zero-tolerance approach to impaired driving and occupant restraint violations to protect all drivers, passengers, and pedestrians. For more information, visit isp.illinois.gov or contact the ISP Public Information Office at ISP.PIO.Personnel@illinois.gov.
