Cops Begin Seat Belt, Impaired Driving Crackdown for Thanksgiving on Friday

Click it or ticket. Driver sober or get pulled over.

These are the mantra of Illinois police starting on Friday, Nov. 16 and continuing through Thanksgiving weekend. Police in Oak Park, River Forest and Forest Park will be stepping up enforcement of seat belt laws and watching for signs of impaired and drunk driving.

Since cops are always on the look out for drunk drivers, if you're a responsible driver (and drinker), the seat belt laws are more likely what will get you nabbed in the next week.

“Fastening a seat belt takes only a second or two, and costs you nothing. Not wearing a seat belt, especially during this Thanksgiving period, will definitely cost you a ticket at the very least, or even worse, your life,” said Anthony Ambrose, Oak Park’s deputy chief of police.

Using your seat belt is also a good protection against driver's who might not be responsible with their alcohol consumption.

According to information supplied by the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), wearing your seat belt properly can reduce your risk of serious to moderate injury by as much as 50 percent in a crash.

So, don't take the seat belt laws lightly. Click it, and save some money this holiday season by avoiding a ticket at the very least. At most, it will keep you safe so you can enjoy the season with family and friends in good health.

You can help police by pulling over and calling 911 if you suspect another driver is driving under the influence too.

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