Will County – The Illinois State Police have announced that they will be conducting additional Nighttime Enforcement (NITE) patrols throughout July.

The patrols, announced by Captain Patrick Manno, commander of Troop 3, will be conducted in Will, Cook, DuPage and Kane counties and will focus on the prevention, detection and enforcement of driving under the influence and occupant restraint violations between the hours of 9 p.m. and 6 a.m.

According to a statement from the state police, the number of unbelted drivers killed in traffic accidents is significantly higher at night, which, in combination with driving under the influence of alcohol, leads to a higher number of traffic fatalities in the late night hours.

Officers will reportedly be on the lookout for motorists who show signs of driving under the influence, improper use of seat belts or child restraints, speeding, distracted driving or other violations of Illinois traffic laws.

According to ISP, alcohol and drug use are a contributing factor in over 47% of all fatal car crashes in Illinois, and over half of all fatal crashes occur at night.

The NITE program is funded by IDOT and “will enable officers to work even harder to get dangerous, impaired drivers off the road and ensure everyone is wearing their seat belts,” the announcement said.