Illinois State Police Add July 4 Patrols, Roadside Checks

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Law enforcement officials are warning Illinois motorists not to drink and drive and to buckle up over the holiday weekend.

Illinois State Police say they’re joining forces with more than 270 law enforcement agencies to conduct 100 roadside safety checks and 500 “saturation patrols” across the state. They’re also planning more than 550 seat belt enforcement zones.

Illinois State Police Operations Col. Mike Zerbonia says driving under the influence is the number one cause of fatal crashes during the July 4 holiday.

The Illinois Department of Transportation says 63 people have died in motor vehicle crashes over the past five Independence Day holidays. Forty-three percent of those crashes involved at least one driver who had been drinking.

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