Driving while under the influence of alcohol is a very real and concerning problem that continues to plague the country as well as the state of Illinois. According to statistics, one person in the United States dies every 48 minutes due to drunk driving. Police forces across Illinois have ramped up enforcement efforts to combat drunk driving. Recently, an annual survey was released, revealing information regarding DUI arrests across the state of Illinois.
The survey contains statistics about DUI arrests made in the past year in nearly every major Illinois city. Chicago, the state’s largest city, had the highest number of DUI arrests at nearly 1,900, the survey said. Rockford came in next on the list with 552 DUI arrests last year, which was up almost 13 percent from the previous year.
According to records, Rockford has made the top 10 every year for the last 15 years. Reportedly, drunk driving is a major issue in Rockford, so police there put a big emphasis on DUI enforcement. Other cities, such as Aurora, Bloomington and Lombard, also saw big increases in the DUI arrest rate.
Although alcohol is responsible for most driving-under-the-influence arrests, residents should also be aware that they can get a DUI charge from driving while on certain medications or driving while under the influence of marijuana. Receiving a DUI charge can definitely be a frightening and worrisome experience. However, those in Illinois who are charged with DUI could safeguard their personal rights and obtain much-needed guidance by seeking the services of a knowledgeable and experienced attorney.