Illinois State Police planning nighttime enforcement patrols

Illinois State Police District 22 personnel are conducting Nighttime Enforcement, NITE, patrols in Union County during December.

Union County is in District 22.

Capt. Ken Ryder noted that the Illinois State Police have no tolerance for impaired drivers.

"Therefore, officers working NITE patrols will be watchful for drivers who are operating vehicles in an unsafe manner, driving with a suspended or revoked driver's license, transporting open alcoholic beverages, driving under the influence and are not properly buckled up," Ryder said in a news release.

Alcohol and drug impairment is a significant factor in nearly 40 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois, the state police noted.

"These nighttime patrols are designed to keep our roads safe by taking dangerous DUI offenders off the road and ensuring all vehicle occupants are buckled up," Ryder said.

The project is funded by the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety.