Mt. Vernon Register-News

Local

September 3, 2010

Roadside checks planned for Labor Day weekend

By TESA CULLI tesa.culli@register-news.com

MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon Police Department and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office will be conducting roadside safety/compliance checks during the Labor Day weekend.

“We will be conducting the checks during the holiday weekend in an effort to raise awareness and promote safety,” Mendenall said.

Both departments have stepped up efforts to hold the compliance and safety checks during the last few years, part of a partnership with the Mission Possible Coalition. During the roadside checks for the Memorial Day holiday weekend this year, police issued four citations for driving under the influence of alcohol, six for no insurance, four for no seatbelt; three for illegal transportation of alcohol, three for possession of less than 2.5 grams of cannabis, two for possession of drug paraphernalia and one for failure to yield to an emergency vehicle.

Local law enforcement won’t be the only ones watching the highways, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

“Over 10,000 law enforcement agencies are participating in the nationwide crackdown with nearly 2,400 involved from the Midwest,” NHTSA information states. “Law enforcement will be especially vigilant during high risk nighttime hours.”

According to the NHTSA, the country witnessed a decline in the number of impaired driving fatalities from 2007 to 2008, however, drunk driving is still one of America’s deadliest crimes. The latest information from the administration states 32 percent of the fatalities in motor vehicle traffic crashes involved a motorist with a blood alcohol content of .08 or above, with an average of one fatality every 45 minutes.

“In 2008 alone, nearly 12,000 people died in crashes in which a driver or motorcycle rider was at or above the legal limit,” information from NHTSA states. “The age group with the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers in fatal crashes is young people age 21 to 24.”

The Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety will join with local law enforcement, partnering with more than 300 agencies in conducting nearly 200 roadside safety checks, impaired driving patrols and nighttime safety belt patrols.

“It is inappropriate to drink and drive regardless of the time of day,” Acting ISP Director Jonathon Monken stated. “Statistics tells us your chances of being involved in an alcohol related crash or fatal crash increases dramatically at night. Therefore, in addition to efforts put forth during the holiday travel period, the Illinois State Police will focus our efforts on DUI and seat belt enforcement during night time details throughout the Labor Day weekend.”

Text Only
Local
  • Start Smart program to start second season

    MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon Department of Parks and Recreation will host a second season of Start Smart, a program that helps parents teach their children sports skills.

    February 8, 2012

  • Mayor declares February Black History Month

    MT. VERNON — February is Black History Month across the United States, but it is officially Black History Month in the city of Mt. Vernon as well.

    February 8, 2012

  • Church to host revival

    MT. VERNON — Shiloh Missionary Baptist Church will be hosting a three-day Black History Month Celebration/Winter Revival in conjunction with Jefferson County Crusaders for Change.

    February 8, 2012

  • City approves track construction plans

    MT. VERNON —  The Mt. Vernon City Council on Monday approved a resolution allowing a rail spur to be built onto Continental Tire the Americas property.

    February 8, 2012

  • fire fighter Fire fighters tour with military truck

    MT. VERNON — Mt. Vernon Fire Department firefighter and Army National Guard Staff Sgt. Chris Heiken brought a military tactical fire fighting truck to the 42nd Street Mt. Vernon Fire Department station on Tuesday.

    February 8, 2012 1 Photo

  • Chamber of Commerce seeks nominations

    MT. VERNON — Jefferson County Chamber of Commerce is seeking nominations for its 2012 Citizen of the Year and Small Business Person of the Year.

    February 7, 2012

  • Crime Stoppers to release Watchdog Quarterly

    MT. VERNON — The Jefferson County Crime Stoppers is gearing up to release its first Watchdog Quarterly.

    February 7, 2012

  • Two plead guilty in controlled substance cases

    MT. VERNON — Jefferson County courts recently saw two guilty pleas in controlled substance cases.

    February 7, 2012

  • The soccer field at Lincoln Park now named Steve Harrison Field

    MT. VERNON — The Mt. Vernon City Council on Monday approved a resolution to name the soccer field at Lincoln Park Steve Harrison Field.

    February 7, 2012

  • Yeager Local woman's first book is published

    MT. VERNON — Janet Yaeger’s first children’s book, “Matilda’s Upside Down Smile,” is being released this week through Casa de Snapdragon Publishing Company of Albuquerque, N.M.

    February 7, 2012 1 Photo