MARION, Ill. (WSIL) --- Illinois State and local police departments are in the midst of their "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" campaign.
Marion's Police Chief, David Fitts says, “Number one is don't drink and drive�.
Fitts says New Year's Eve is about going out and having fun, but people should plan ahead of their events.
“Make sure that you have a ride home. You know, there are one or two Ubers around the area,� Fitts says. But he says, finding a designated driver is also an option.
He also says people can get personal breath tests to see if they're good to drive.
“Don't be confident in one drink every hour because the next thing you know, you've had four, five, or six and that's way too much,� Fitts says. “You know, it doesn't take that much to get you to that 0.08 level.�
The National Safety Council estimates that 375 people may die on U.S. roads this New Year’s holiday.
“Typically New Year's Eve has always been one of them where there's been a lot of DUIs happening along with the 4th of July and other holidays like that,� Fitts says.
And Fitts says his officers will be outside making sure they can keep the roads safe.
“State police, us, and several other departments in the area participate,� Fitts says. “And yes, the Christmas New Year's holiday is one of the holidays that encompasses that program and there will be extra officers out.�
Fitts says that driving sober doesn't doesn't just include not having alcohol in your body.
“Any substance can impair your driving and your thinking and your behavior. So refrain from all that if you're gonna get behind the wheel,� Fitts says. “Because you never know, that car that you hit may be your friend, maybe your one of your loved ones. And how tragic would that be?�
