By Illinois Radio Network
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ roadways will have many more state troopers, some trained to spot cannabis use, on the road this weekend thanks to extra federal dollars.
The Illinois State Police and Department of Transportation will use a federal grant to boost staff, especially in the hours surrounding the Super Bowl.
“Driving under the influence is the No. 1 cause of highway fatalities,” ISP Director Brendan Kelly said in a release. “The Illinois State Police will be watching for drivers under the influence, throwing down penalty flags on violators, and ejecting dangerous drivers out of the game and right into the county jail.”
The additional patrols will be focusing on specific laws being broken.
“We’re going to be enforcing the Fatal Four aggressively,” said Sgt. Christopher Watson, ISP public information office’s south deputy chief. “Speeding, distracted driving, DUI and occupant restraint.”
The game marks the first big social event of the year, after New Years Day, that recreational cannabis is legal in Illinois. Watson says troopers will have a special protocol to detect drivers who’ve been partaking as well as specialists who are trained to spot drivers under the influence.
“These folks are specially trained in order to look for the indicators in the human body that show exactly what the person is on,” he said.
While the smell of cannabis being a precedent for a search is being deliberated by the state’s Supreme Court, Watson says the smell of it in a car is still grounds for a sobriety test.
In a release, IDOT said that if you are attending a Super Bowl party:
• Designate a sober driver ahead of time or plan to use your community’s sober ride program, call a cab or use your favorite ride-sharing app.
• Don’t let friends and family members drive impaired. Help them get home safely.
• Wear your seat belt and make sure everyone in the vehicle does the same.
• Promptly report drunk drivers by calling 911.
• Remember, walking impaired can also be dangerous, so designate a sober friend to walk home with you.
If you’re hosting a Super Bowl party:
• Make sure all your guests have a sober ride.
• Serve plenty of food and non-alcoholic beverages.
• Host your party just like they do at the stadium. Stop serving alcohol at the end of the third quarter. The fourth quarter is perfect for serving coffee and dessert.
• Take the keys away from anyone who is thinking of driving impaired.
Illinois Radio Network can be reached at [email protected].
