Crime & Safety

Traffic Safety Initiative Catches 64 People Without a Seatbelt, 48 on the Phone

Evanston Police conducted a traffic enforcement initiative around Memorial Day weekend, stopping people at three separate locations to check for violations.

During a crackdown on driving offenses from May 11 to May 28, the issued more than 100 citations and arrested one person for driving under the influence. 

The enforcement initiative was conducted with the help of grants from the Illinois Department of Transportation’s “You Drink, You Drive, You Lose” and “Click It or Ticket” programs. According to Police Cmdr. Jason Parrott, the department conducts similar enforcements around holiday weekends several times a year. 

Police stopped vehicles at three different locations in Evanston to check for violations. In total, they found 64 people not wearing a seatbelt, 48 people talking on the phone while driving, 34 people driving without insurance, four people driving without a child restraint, one person driving under the influence and seven people driving with a suspended or revoked license, according to Parrott.

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“The Evanston Police Department wants to remind drivers and passengers in motor vehicles to buckle up for safety,” Parrott said in a press release issued Friday. “Whether you are a driver, front seat passenger, or backseat passenger, all occupants in passenger vehicles require the use of seat belts or child restraints effective January 1, 2012.”


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