Police Conducting Roadside Safety Checks Saturday Evening in Algonquin

Police are going to be conducting roadside safety checks on Saturday, March 12 in the Algonquin area during the evening hours.

The enforcement will focus on impaired drivers, vehicle safety and seat belt use, according to a press release from the McHenry County Sheriff's Office.

Additionally, during upcoming week, the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting additional patrols primarily focusing on impaired drivers and seat belt use.

According to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the midnight to 3 a.m. timeframe is the deadliest time on Illinois roads. 

The McHenry County Sheriff’s Office recommends designating a sober driver and not letting friends and family drive impaired as just two of several simple steps to avoid a tragic crash or an arrest for impaired driving.  Other important tips include:

• Plan ahead.  Designate a sober driver before going out and give that person your keys.
• If you are impaired, call a taxi or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely.
• Promptly report impaired drivers you see on the roadways to law enforcement;
• Wear your safety belt.  It is your best defense against an impaired driver.

The law enforcement crackdown is funded by federal traffic safety funds through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety and it runs concurrently with a media campaign that will remind motorists, “You Drink & Drive. You Lose.”