Illinois State Police Launching Weekend Enforcement: ‘Targeted Focus’ Will Be on CMVs

According to a press release from the Illinois State Police, this weekend the ISP will be conducting an aggressive, statewide campaign that will place a “targeted focus on the safe driving of commercial motor vehicles (CMVs).”

The enforcement campaign is being held in honor of fallen Trooper James Sauter, who was killed by on March 28, 2013 when his vehicle was struck by a truck on I-294.

“Within the last two years, ISP buried two troopers and remain hopeful that another trooper recovers from life threatening injuries – all resulting from CMV crashes,” the ISP press release states.

All ISP personnel are working the enforcement blitz,  called ‘Operation Sauter,’  and will be “aggressively patrolling Illinois roadways for 24 consecutive hours (March 28-29).

Operation Sauter will kick off with ISP officers saturating the interstates statewide, conducting road side safety checks to enforce the ISP’s Fatal Four mission:  Speeding, Seatbelts, DUI and Distracted Driving, to ensure the safety of the motoring public in preparation for the busy spring travel season,” said ISP Division of Operations Colonel Michael Zerbonia.

In the wake of the accidents, the ISP has adopted the slogan  “Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow” and is working to emphasize the importance of  not driving when you’re too tired.

“The men and women of the ISP want Operation Sauter to remind the motoring public and commercial motor vehicle operators that safe driving saves lives,” said ISP Director Hiram Grau.  “Today, ISP officers statewide will enforce the road safety laws and remember Jim’s courage and dedication to keeping our roads and drivers safe,” Grau added.

“However our number one goal during this 24 hour enforcement period is to raise public awareness within the motor carrier industry on the importance of safety regulations – namely driver fatigue – because drowsiness can have the same effects as driving under the influence,” added Zerbonia.