“Saturation Saturday” means extra patrols for state and local police

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The Illinois State Police is joining other law enforcement agencies around the country taking part in special patrols looking for people who may be driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

Saturday (August 25) is “Saturation Saturday” — meaning, State Police and even local law enforcement will be out in force conducting the patrols, especially at night, when it’s more likely that drivers will be drunk or drugged when they get behind the wheel.

“It actually has kind of a local root to it,” says Tpr. Jason Wilson, Illinois State Police District 7 Safety Education Officer. “That’s because the new [program coordinator] for [Mothers Against Drunk Driving] for Illinois is actually one of our local girls — Allison Seys. She’s an Orion native; and, unfortunately, what got her involved a few years back with this is…she lost a dear friend in a tragic DUI crash.”

Wilson tells WGIL while alcohol remains tops among potential factors for fatal accidents, being under the influence of drugs is growing, especially among younger drivers. He says even an over-the-counter drug like cold medicine can get you busted for DUI.

“It’s never one of those things where we say we’re out to get the drunk drivers; we’re out to get the impaired drivers,” says Wilson. “That means any substance that’s going to impair you from being able to safely operate a vehicle. If you’re on the roadway, you’re a DUI at that point, and you’re driving under the influence.”

Wilson says while there may be a push to make some drugs like marijuana legal, pot can still alter your ability to drive, so you’ll still get pulled over and be charged if you’re high.

Seys, by the way, is also competing to be Miss Illinois USA.  Illinois State Police District 7 covers Knox, Henry, Rock Island, and Mercer Counties.

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