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St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Lee Enterprises

Friday, June 26, 2009 10:20 PM CDT
Federal funds help pay for late night patrols on impaired driving

By HERB MEEKER, Staff Writer
hmeeker@jg-tc.com

MATTOON — Local officers will conduct post-midnight saturation patrols during the July 4 weekend.

Funded by federal safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation, the extra patrols will involve six squad cars for the early morning hours when state and federal statistics show a high incidence of fatal traffic accidents, said Mattoon Deputy Police Chief Adam Weinstock. He said six officers will be involved in the saturation patrols for Mattoon.

“This is part of the ‘You Drink & Drive, You Lose’ campaign,” Weinstock said. “Research by the Illinois Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows the time frame from midnight to 3 a.m. is the deadliest time on roads in this state. And so more alcohol-related accidents and lower safety belt use also occur during that period, too.”

Research shows 54 percent of the drivers involved in fatal crashes from midnight to 3 a.m. had been drinking alcohol. The next deadliest time frame for drinking drivers is 3 a.m. to 5:59 a.m. with 41 percent.

“The key message is this is a crackdown on impaired driving during the late-night hours,” Weinstock said. “This is funded by $1 million statewide to pay for the overtime for our patrols and in other communities.”

Besides making sure friends and family do not drive impaired, Weinstock offered these tips.

n Plan ahead and designate a sober driver before going out and give that person the vehicle keys before going out.

n Call a taxi if you are impaired or call a sober friend or family member to get home safely.

n Wear your safety belt as the best defense against an impaired driver.

n Report impaired drivers to law enforcement.

Weinstock said this campaign will continue through the year with the funding. That means saturation patrols will be scheduled during peak times, especially holidays.

Though the money is coming from the federal government through a state agency, Weinstock noted this funding was secured through local efforts.

“Lt. Ray Hall worked to secure these funds for our department. We are fortunate to have an officer on our department who has taken the reins on securing this grant. Lt. Hall continually takes the initiative on this and been quite successful,” Weinstock said.

It is hard to say how many lives might be saved by these proactive patrols.

“We would prefer to prevent an accident and a death rather than just respond to it after it has happened. This is really a community safety initiative more than about arrests and citations,” Weinstock said.

Contact Herb Meeker at hmeeker@jg-tc.com or 238-6869.

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medic57 wrote on Jun 27, 2009 7:36 AM:

" Research by the Illinois Department of Transportation and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration shows the time frame from midnight to 3 a.m. is the deadliest time on roads in this state. And so more alcohol-related accidents and lower safety belt use also occur during that period, too.

Now we're getting somewhere, "lower saftey belt use" Less Seat belts, more money from tickets. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Jun 27, 2009 9:40 AM:

" Why should we pay overtime for something that should be done anyway?? Unless they are calling in extra officers to do this. "

just watching wrote on Jun 27, 2009 9:03 PM:

" It would be nice to see them put that much effort in catching crowbar creeps and window peepers,guess there isn't much money in that though.What would the city do without Ray? "

jrhendren wrote on Jun 27, 2009 11:39 PM:

" Rohn Gordon wrote on Jun 27, 2009 9:40 AM:
" Why should we pay overtime for something that should be done anyway?? Unless they are calling in extra officers to do this. "

Their are six extra officers:
"the extra patrols will involve six squad cars for the early morning hours when state and federal statistics show a high incidence of fatal traffic accidents, said Mattoon Deputy Police Chief Adam Weinstock. He said six officers will be involved in the saturation patrols for Mattoon." - above article. "

medic57 wrote on Jun 27, 2009 11:47 PM:

" Funded by federal safety funds through the Illinois Department of Transportation,

The City is not paying overtime, however, the State is, same difference. It's all tax dollars. "

kamfong wrote on Jun 28, 2009 5:21 PM:

" At least the cops are giving everybody a heads up.Anybody recieving a DUI after being fore-warned at least a week in advance desrves one. "

Rohn Gordon wrote on Jun 28, 2009 5:36 PM:

" Thanx Jr I totaly missed the extra officers, duh at me. "

pj1983 wrote on Jun 29, 2009 7:46 AM:

" don't look at it as overtime, medic, look at it as an investment. if they step up patrols, they'll ticket more people and make more money for the city. of course if the police did their jobs now there may be more money flowing in now. I love the cops that sit behind the overpass and do nothing. (not that i'm really complaining, i managed to avoid $225 in fines because he was lazy) "

Becky wrote on Jun 29, 2009 1:17 PM:

" I can't remember the last time I was out after 10 pm. I guess I'm telling my age now. Kudos to MPD. One life saved is worth the extra efforts. Everyone stay safe on our nations birthday this weekend. Don't drink and drive. If you plan on drinking, plan on staying wherever you are at. "

medic57 wrote on Jun 29, 2009 7:15 PM:

" pj1983

I'm not looking at it as overtime, I wish they had the money to do it a lot more than they do, it would save more lives.

Becky wrote on Jun 29, 2009 1:17 PM:

" I can't remember the last time I was out after 10 pm.

Yeah, bummer, can't even get a burger after 10 anymore. Doesn't matter anyway, form now on it's lettuce for me. Got my labs back today.

A1C = 10.1

Cholesteral = 581

Triglycerides = 2150

And that's while taking medicine. "