Crime & Safety

County Offers Roadside DUI Death Markers

On what may be the biggest drinking "holiday" of the year, Cook County announces a new plan for roadside DUI death memorials. Orland Park police officers will be patrolling force, and some will be focused solely on DUIs.

The night before Thanksgiving is known as the biggest party night of the year. Almost a holiday unto itself with a name of its own, Black Wednesday is a night to rival New Year's Eve and St. Patrick's Day for overindulgence in alcohol. 

In many communities, extra officers will be on patrol and local officials warn bar owners not to overserve their patrons.

Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy said the number of officers on will be higher than usual Wednesday night, and four officers in separate squad cars will be tasked solely with paying attention to possible driving under the influence.

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"They have plenty of experience knowing where to look, rather than us doing roadside safety checks," McCarthy said about police is expecting on the night before Thanksgiving. "Most of our establishments are pretty responsible and don’t want the attention, or reputation, for overserving or serving underage people."

It is not a coincidence that Cook County this week announced a new DUI Memorial Program. For $150, families of anyone killed in a DUI fatality can purchase a roadside memorial marker to be placed alongside any highway under the county's jurisdiction. 

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The marker includes a “Please Don’t Drink and Drive” sign and an optional commemorative plaque with the deceased loved one’s name and accident date. The victims of accidents that occurred on or after Jan. 1, 1990 are eligible.

In 2010, 743 people were hurt and 15 died in 2,780 alcohol-related crashes between Wednesday and Sunday of the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists. Throughout the year, 436 people were killed in alcohol-related crashes, which was 47 percent of the 927 total crash fatalities on the year, according to the Secretary of State's office.

The county installed the first memorial sign in mid-October on the anniversary of Oleg Oleinik's death. He died in a DUI-related crash in Glenview in 2008.

The Cook County Department of Highways will install and maintain the marker for two years. A similar program is offered by the State of Illinois.


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