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December is National Impaired Driving Prevention Month
Illinois State Police Urge Motorists to Avoid the “3 Ds;” Drunk, Drugs, and Distractions.
Pestoum, IL – December has again been declared National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. Along with driving under the influence of alcohol, impaired driving also includes drugged driving and distracted driving. Drugged/drunk driving and distracted driving are two of the fatal four violations that the Illinois State Police (ISP) continues to focus on.
The ISP will be doing our part in observing National Impaired Driving Prevention Month. From December 16 through January 1 the ISP will be participating in the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Campaign. This campaign seeks to raise awareness of the dangers associated with drunk and drugged driving. Through awareness and enforcement, the ISP will work to remove drunk/drugged drivers from Illinois roadways.
The ISP will also continue to focus on individuals who drive distracted. Often times distracted drivers are reported as drunk/drugged drivers to the police. They exhibit the same driving behaviors associated with people who are driving while intoxicated. So far this year the ISP has issued almost 11,000 distracted driving citations and 10,460 written warnings.
District 10 Commander Captain Louis Kink adds, “Our Troopers will be focused on taking impaired drivers off of the roadways. They will be vigilant, looking for distracted drivers as well. We want to ensure the roads are safe for the motoring public, especially during the Holidays. Focus on the drive and get to your destination safely, without a ticket or a crash.”
The Illinois State Police is encouraging the public to remain committed to preventing instances of drunk, drugged, and distracted driving by promoting responsible driving behavior. Designate a driver; call a taxi, friend, or family member for a ride; and avoid distractions while behind a wheel. If we all commit to preventing impaired driving, we can reduce the likelihood of losing a loved one due to a fatal traffic crash.
As always, remember to watch your speed, buckle up, and move over and slow down when you see emergency vehicles on the side of the road.
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IEMA Highlights Holiday Safety in December
Tips offered for preparedness gifts, holiday decorating
SPRINGFIELD – With the holiday season in full swing, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) and local emergency management agencies are offering tips to help people stay safe now and into the new year.
“December can be a fun but hectic time of year,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “Throughout the month, we’ll be offering tips to help people stay safe, as well as provide ideas on gifts that can help friends and family stay safe during all types of emergencies.”
Joseph offered several ideas for preparedness gifts including:
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather alert radio with battery backup, a tone-alert feature and Specific Area Message Encoding (SAME) technology
• Flashlight with extra batteries.
• First aid kit with sterile bandages and gauze pads in assorted sizes; antiseptic; latex gloves; tweezers; scissors; soap and moistened towelettes; and thermometer.
• Home emergency preparedness kit stocked with a three-day supply of bottled water and non-perishable food; battery-powered radio, weather radio and flashlights with extra batteries; first aid kit; shut-off wrench (to turn off household gas and water); manual can opener; and fire extinguisher.
• Vehicle preparedness kit stocked with a flashlight with extra batteries; first aid kit; water and non-perishable snacks; blankets; windshield scraper and brush; booster cables; sack of sand or kitty litter; tool kit; and shovel.
Most preparedness gift items can be found in hardware and department stores.
Whether decorating for Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa or New Year’s Eve, candles and strings of colored lights create a festive atmosphere but it’s important to be careful when using them. Candles should never be left unattended and should be placed on stable furniture in fire-safe holders that will catch dripping wax. Holiday lights and electrical decorations should bear the name of an independent testing lab to prove they were safety tested.
IEMA will be posting holiday safety tips throughout December on the Ready Illinois Facebook (www.Facebook.com/ReadyIllinois) and Twitter (twitter.com/ReadyIllinois) pages. Additional information on emergency preparedness is available on the Ready Illinois website at www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
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Thanksgiving Holiday Travel Advisory
Illinois State Police Urge Driver Safety
Pestoum, IL – The Illinois State Police (ISP) is urging the motoring public to drive safe and avoid the Fatal Four moving violations; Speeding, DUI, Seatbelts, and Distracted Driving, this holiday season.
Traditionally, the Thanksgiving holiday marks the beginning of the busy holiday driving period. Beginning on Wednesday, November 25 through Sunday, November 29, high traffic volumes are expected on roadways throughout the state. As traffic volume increases, so does your chance of being involved in a traffic crash. Avoiding the Fatal Four can help to decrease your chances of being involved in a serious traffic crash.
ISP troopers will be extra vigilant during the holiday travel period. Officers will be conducting road side safety checks and participating in additional traffic enforcement details to identify the Fatal Four moving violations. Officers will also be available to provide assistance to motorists who are experiencing mechanical issues on their way to and from their holiday celebration.
District 10 Commander Captain Louis Kink adds, “We want drivers to focus on the drive. Holiday travel means crowded roadways, especially with lower gas prices. Buckle everyone in, obey the speed limits, and report impaired drivers to 911. Stay alert while driving to ensure you get to spend time with friends and family once you arrive at your destination. Move over and slow down for stopped emergency vehicles so they can get home safely to their families too. Our troopers will be out looking for impaired and distracted drivers to help make your travel on our roadways safe.”
Along with avoiding the Fatal Four, the ISP would also like to remind motorist to “move over.” The “move over” law requires motorists approaching an emergency vehicle stopped along the roadway to reduce their speed, change lanes if possible, and proceed with due caution.
The safety of everyone on Illinois roadways is important. Please remember: Don’t Drink and Drive, Always Buckle Up, Limit Distractions, Slow Down, and “move over!” The Illinois State Police would like to wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving weekend.
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Get Prepared for Winter Weather
Brrr! Cooler temperatures are setting in, which means winter is on its way. Before winter weather hits your area, talk with your family about how to stay safe and take action to get prepared! Planning and preparing can help you manage the impact of severe winter weather.
The How to Prepare for a Winter Storm guide from s PrepareAthon! outlines steps you can take now, including:
• Gather emergency supplies;
• Make a family emergency communication plan;
• Install battery-powered or battery back-up carbon monoxide detectors;
• If you have access to an outside generator, have an electric cord long enough to keep the generator at least 20 feet from any door, window, or vent;
• NEVER use a generator inside your home or in any partially enclosed area; and
• Be alert to changing weather conditions using local alerts, battery-operated radios, and other news sources for information and instructions.
To learn more about preparing for winter weather, take a look at this animated video, and see what to do “When the Sky Turns Gray.”
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IEMA Encourages People to Stay Aware, Be Prepared
for Potential Severe Storms Wednesday
Dangerous thunderstorms, straight-line winds, tornadoes possible
SPRINGFIELD – With widespread severe weather predicted for most of Illinois Wednesday afternoon and evening, the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA) today encouraged people to stay aware of local forecasts and be prepared to act quickly if storm warnings are issued.
“Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes can happen any time of the year,” said IEMA Director James K. Joseph. “We’re keeping an eye on the storm system predicted for Wednesday, and encourage everyone to stay aware and be prepared to seek shelter if a storm warning is issued.”
Joseph said people should have multiple ways to receive notifications and updated information about severe weather warnings, such as through a weather alert radio, Wireless Emergency Alerts, weather alert apps, TV and radio broadcasts, the Internet, outdoor warning sirens and more.
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) weather alert radios can be programmed to issue a tone alarm and provide information about a warning that has been issued for your county. The tone alarm provides a 24/7 alert to approaching hazards, even during overnight hours when many people are sleeping.
Wireless Emergency Alerts (WEAs) are available on most smartphones. Check your phone’s notification settings under ‘Government Alerts’ to ensure ‘Emergency Alerts’ is turned on. With a WEA-enabled phone, you will receive tornado and flash flood warnings issued for your location, even if you’re traveling outside your home county or state. Other smartphone alerting apps also are available, including the tornado app by the American Red Cross.
In addition, many communities have outdoor warning sirens, which can alert people outdoors of an approaching hazard. Don’t rely on these sirens to alert you when you’re inside a building or asleep.
If a tornado warning is issued for your area, seek shelter immediately, preferably in a basement underneath the stairs or a sturdy piece of furniture. If there is no basement, go to an interior hallway or a small interior room without windows, get under sturdy furniture and use pillows or cushions to protect your head and neck.
For more information about severe weather preparedness, visit www.Ready.Illinois.gov.
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