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As CBS 2 Northwest Indiana Bureau Chief Pamela Jones reports, all the traffic has law enforcement working overtime. Drivers are crowding onto area highways, hitting the road for the long weekend, even though they are seriously paying the price at the pump. The U.S. government reports gas prices are almost a dollar higher per gallon than they were this time last year. “I plan on doing a lot of traveling this weekend, and gas is about 10 cents cheaper (in Indiana), so it does make a difference,” said Carl Woods of Chicago. “Here in Indiana (gas prices) are real cheap compared to Chicago, and that’s why I come by and fill up my tank all the time,” another motorist said. “Here in Indiana… come out this way, you save a little bit more, but I’m still going to travel.” But police in the Chicago area say the nice weather and long holiday weekend is calling motorists to the road anyway. For that reason, they are will be watching for traffic violations, even in neighborhoods. In Hammond, Ind., officers near Calumet Avenue and Gostlin Road wrote 30 tickets in half an hour Friday night, and even towed the car of one of the ticketed drivers. “Memorial Day weekend traditionally has always been a very higher-accident rate weekend for whatever reason, be it laid back emotions, a long weekend whatever the case may be,” Hammond police Sgt. Patrick Vicari said. “Maybe alcohol involved, parties, whatever the case may be, but traditionally, (on) Memorial Day weekend, there’s always a higher number of accidents.” Police are running such traffic enforcements all over the area. Hobart, Ind., police Officer Joseph Clemmons will work a double shift Friday night just for that effort. “It will be Friday through Monday, and they get that extra day, and they start on Friday – start drinking and partying, and it goes all the way through,” Clemmons said. His message to drivers – “Don’t drink and drive, and wear your seat belt.” Police said they were seeing a lot of seat belt violations Friday night, and they say drunken driving is on the rise as well. Since many of those drivers have kids in the car, police are being especially watchful for those cases. In Illinois, State Police say traffic was heavy, but there were no major problems to report Friday night. People heading to their holiday barbecues will be packing train depots and roadways as well. All highways, including the Dan Ryan, will be open this weekend, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. |
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