November 17, 2025

Hanover Park Police reminds drivers: This Thanksgiving, buckle up and drive sober

Hanover Park, IL – This Thanksgiving, the Hanover Park Police Department is partnering with the Illinois State Police and local organizations to ensure a safe holiday travel season. Our “Click It or Ticket” and “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” enforcement campaigns will run from November 21 to December 2. Officers will be looking for seatbelt violations, speeding, distracted driving, and impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs, including cannabis.

“Thanksgiving brings more vehicles, longer trips, and more festivities,” said Deputy Chief Victor DiVito. “Seat belts remain one of the simplest and most effective ways to save your life in a crash. We’re asking every driver and passenger to buckle up, every trip, every time — and to make a plan for a sober ride before the celebrations begin. If you drink alcohol or use cannabis, don’t drive.”

Plan ahead with these tips:

• Before you go out, choose a sober driver or plan to use a taxi, public transit, or a rideshare service (Uber, Lyft, etc.).
• If you host, offer alcohol‑free beverages and help guests arrange sober transportation.
• If you’ve used cannabis, do not drive. Effects can be delayed, impairing reaction time and judgment.
• If you see an impaired driver on the road, pull over safely and call 911.
• Make sure everyone in the vehicle wears a seat belt. It’s your best defense against an impaired driver.

This Thanksgiving enforcement effort is supported by federal traffic safety funds administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation and aligns with Illinois’ statewide “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over,” “Click It or Ticket” and “It’s Not a Game” campaigns.

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