The Niles Police Department stepped up enforcement Dec. 17 though New Year's Eve in an effort to prevent holiday-season tragedies on the roads.

Here are the results of the enforcement push, called "Drive to Survive":

The department made six DUI arrests, three drug arrests and two zero tolerance arrests during the recent “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over / Click It or Ticket” holiday crackdown, said Sgt. Robert Tornabene.  Nine of the arrests were made after midnight.  In addition, officers wrote 23 seat belt citations--16 during nighttime hours.

Earlier: Holiday-season DUI arrests

“Impaired driving and occupant restraint are priorities of the Niles Police Department, “ said Chief of Police Dean H. Strzelecki. “I urge everyone to make wise choices when they get behind the wheel of a car, especially when you have had an alcoholic beverage.”

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The department joined forces with other state and local law enforcement and highway safety partners in conducting the crackdown campaign, featuring high-visibility enforcement combined with a variety of outreach activities including a strategic media campaign and additional enforcement activity.

Extra emphasis was given to the late-night hours of 9 p.m. to 6 a.m. when statistics show the highest number of motorists drink and drive and the fewest motorists buckle up.

This law enforcement crackdown was funded by federal traffic safety grants through IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety and is part of the statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Click It or Ticket” campaigns.

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