Illinois State Police District 18 Commander, Captain Mark Gillock, announces the ISP will conduct Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) patrols in Macoupin County during December. NITE patrols allow the ISP to focus on preventing, detecting, and taking enforcement action in response to impaired driving and occupant restraint violations especially between the hours of 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The number of unrestrained drivers killed in traffic crashes is significantly higher at night and combined with impaired driving means even more traffic deaths during these critical hours. Officers will strictly enforce violations including:

- Driving Under the Influence;

- Safety Belt and Child Restraint use;

- Speeding;

- Distracted Driving; and,

- All Illinois Vehicle Code and Criminal Violations.

Alcohol and drug impairment are factors in more than 30 percent of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in Illinois. Over half of all fatal crashes in Illinois occur at night.