The Crystal Lake Police Department is increasing patrols on Halloween in an effort to discourage impaired driving, which led to more than 300 deaths in Illinois in 2016, according to a press release.
The agency is advising those who plan to attend Halloween parties to organize a safe means of transportation in advance, whether a designated driver, public transportation, a ride-sharing service or a friend or family member. It also says that impaired walking can be dangerous as well, so those planning to walk home should still take precautions, such as having a sober friend accompany them.
Revelers are also advised to prevent impaired persons from driving by taking their keys and getting them home through alternate means, and anyone who observes an impaired driver should immediately notify local law enforcement. According to the release, a DUI arrest can cost the offender up to $18,000 and lead to a year of revoked driving privileges.
The agency additionally advised anyone taking to the roads over Halloween to drive with caution and be particularly watchful for young children going trick-or-treating.
The Halloween crackdown, part of the “Drive sober or get pulled over” campaign, is funded by Illinois Department of Transportation and the federal government.
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