Sober Streets

By Mark Loehrke
Appears in the December 2025 issue.

Impaired Driving Prevention Month tackles this persistent problem

While decades of educational campaigns have made strides, drunk and drugged driving remain serious threats to public safety. Alcohol-related driving fatalities account for nearly one-third of all traffic deaths in the United States.

Observances like Impaired Driving Prevention Month aim to raise awareness of the problem every December. Last year, Lieutenant Robert Denny, who oversees the traffic unit of the Will County sheriff’s office, says his office issued nearly 150 DUI citations, and 2025 appears to be trending slightly higher. And while factors such as changes in state laws, specialized impairment recognition training, and enforcement staffing levels can all affect that number, he knows that impaired driving incidents—both in Illinois and around the country—need to be stopped.

“The fact is that even one DUI citation represents one impaired driver too many,” he says. “That’s why we remain committed to aggressively pursuing offenders and keeping our roads safe for everyone.”

Denny says the Will County sheriff’s office takes a proactive approach to building awareness about the dangers of impaired driving, including partnering with IDOT and other state agencies to conduct roadside safety checks—especially during high-traffic weekends when impaired driving tends to increase. Beyond enforcement, the focus is on education, with deputies visiting schools throughout Will County to speak directly with students about the risks and consequences of driving under the influence. The sheriff’s office also uses its social media platforms to share prevention messages and safety reminders to keep the conversation going with the broader community throughout the year.

The goal, Denny says, is to remind people that the issue of impaired driving hasn’t gone away just because so many other things are going on in the country and around the world—and to help everyone understand just how dangerous it truly is. During this time of year in particular—with its abundance of parties and get-togethers—it’s a message that bears repeating.

“The chances of being involved in a crash when driving impaired are more than four times higher compared to driving sober,” Denny explains. “And beyond the immediate risk of serious injury or death, the long-term financial and emotional consequences can be devastating. Simply put, the risk is never worth it. Making the choice to drive sober can prevent a lifetime of regret.”

Impaired Driving By the Numbers

Some sobering statistics about impaired driving:

• In 2023, 12,429 people were killed in drunk-driving crashes; from 2014 to 2023, an average of 11,000 died in these incidents every year.

• Men are most likely to be involved in drunk-driving crashes, with four male drunk drivers (most prominently in the 21-to-24-year-old age group) for every female drunk driver.

• Of the 6,335 motorcycle riders who were killed in traffic crashes in 2023, 26 percent were legally drunk—the highest percentage of alcohol-impaired drivers among all vehicle types.

• Based on 2019 numbers, impaired-driving crashes cost the United States up to $68.9 billion annually.

Source: Illinois Department of Public Health

Photos: Will County Sheriff’s Office (Denny); istock (sign)