Lilly Highlights National Impaired Driving Prevention Month

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Camille Y. Lilly, D-Chicago, is highlighting the importance of safe and sober driving during National Impaired Driving Prevention Month this December.

“During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, it is important that we all take time to understand why sober driving is important,” Lilly said. “Driving drunk, high or with any kind of impairment endangers not only the driver, but everyone else on the road and in the vicinity, and in Illinois that comes with severe legal consequences.”

In Illinois, it is illegal to operate a motor vehicle while impaired by alcohol, cannabis, any controlled substance or medication. If someone is operating a vehicle in Illinois and is suspected of impaired driving, there is implied consent for breath, blood and urine tests. Failing to consent to chemical testing results in the automatic suspension of a driver’s license. Additionally, Illinois treats DUI offenses as violent crimes and does not allow DUI convictions to be eligible for expungement. Over 300 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes in Illinois in 2017, which was nearly a third of all crash fatalities, according to the office of Secretary of State Jesse White.

“Drunk driving and impaired driving kills, it’s as simple as that,” Lilly said. “I urge everyone who drives a car to drive safe, drive sober and save lives.”