Henderson County Sheriff's Office plans to step up traffic enforcement for July 4 celebrations

Drive sober or get pulled over, drive high, get a DUI

As Independence Day approaches, the Henderson County Sheriff's Office is preparing to increase traffic enforcement to ensure the safety of all residents and motorists. From June 21 until the early hours of July 8, our officers will work around the clock to keep drunk drivers off the road and ticket motorists who are not wearing their seat belts.

“It’s a simple message: If you’re behind the wheel, stay sober. Don’t drink, use marijuana or any other impairing substance before or while driving,” Sheriff Link said. “Our officers will be on duty 24 hours a day, dedicated to enforcing traffic laws and, most importantly, saving lives.”

Driving under the influence of alcohol not only poses a serious risk to yourself, but also endangers passengers and other road users. The financial and human costs of driving under the influence of alcohol are immeasurable. The decision to avoid driving under the influence of alcohol is simple and could save lives.

The Henderson County Sheriff's Office is working with the Illinois State Police and more than 200 local police and sheriff's departments in this unified effort to improve law enforcement statewide during this time.

To ensure a fun and safe holiday season, we encourage everyone to follow these tips:

• Designate a sober driver before leaving.

• Stop your friends and family members from driving under the influence of alcohol.

• If you are impaired, use safe alternatives like taxis, public transportation, and rideshare apps, or contact a sober friend or family member to drive you.

• Use designated driver programs available in your community.

• Promptly report suspected drunk drivers to law enforcement by stopping and calling 911.

• Make sure everyone in your vehicle is wearing their seat belts. This is not only the law, but also a crucial defense against impaired drivers.

Traffic safety enforcement efforts, including the “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Drive High Get a DUI” and “Click It or Ticket” programs, are made possible by federal highway safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation. These efforts are complemented by IDOT’s “It’s Not a Game” media campaign, which emphasizes the serious consequences of impaired driving and other dangerous driving behaviors.

• Look at the fireworks in the sky, not the red and blue lights in your rearview mirror. #ItsNotaGame#DriveHighGetaDUI

• A DUI will take away your #IndependenceDay. Drive sober or get arrested. #It’sNotaGame

***Courtesy of Henderson County Sheriff's Office Facebook Page***