CHICAGO — With the Thanksgiving holiday weekend approaching, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is reminding drivers to celebrate safely and not drink and drive.
Thanksgiving weekend has become one of the single most dangerous days of the year for drunk driving crashes. Last year, 22 people were killed in Illinois, 15 were involved in alcohol-related crashes.
In 2002, 51,649 people were arrested for DUI. Eighty-two percent of all drivers arrested for DUI are first time offenders, while 18 percent have had a previous DUI within the last five years.
"Thanksgiving is a time to reflect and give thanks for our family, friends and our country and the values it was founded upon," White said. Let's not ruin such a special time for ourselves and others by drinking and driving."
The Thanksgiving holiday period lasts from 6 p.m. Wednesday until midnight on Sunday.
White also reminds drivers that your best defense against a drunk driver is your safety belt.
This year the governor and legislature passed the primary seat belt law allowing law enforcement to stop and ticket those who are not properly belted in.
"I commend the governor and legislature for passing this important law which I believe will help save lives," White said.
Illinois State police, Secretary of State police and local law enforcement will be out patrolling the roadways looking for drunk drivers.
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