According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), the Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) is a high-visibility enforcement program that targets impaired driving and occupant-protection violations. STEP provides funding to local law enforcement agencies to be used for increased efforts in reducing dangerous driving behaviors.
During fiscal year 2023, there were 219 state and local police agencies that participated in Illinois enforcement associated with the program. Their work resulted in 138,000 patrol hours and approximately 197,500 citations.
The underlying goal of STEP is deterrence. Essentially, if motorists believe they are more likely to encounter police and face consequences for impaired driving, they may be less likely to consume drugs or alcohol and then decide to get behind the wheel. However, law enforcement must follow established procedures when they are issuing citations, conducting investigations, and making arrests. If they engage a motorist in an unconstitutional or improper manner, this can affect the DUI case against that motorist.
If you are facing DUI charges in Illinois, you may be unsure what your next steps should be. First and foremost, do not wait to call the Chicago DUI defense lawyers at Glasgow & Olsson. Their experienced legal team will examine all aspects of your case, including what happened when you were pulled over for a DUI.
Top Reasons Law Enforcement Use STEP Grants
STEP grants provide federal highway-safety money that IDOT can pass through local police agencies for extra, targeted traffic enforcement activities. The goals are:
- Reduce traffic deaths and serious injuries by identifying behaviors associated with crashes, particularly impaired driving, speeding, distracted driving, and failure to use seat belts and the right child restraints.
- Have officers on the roads during times when the risks for accidents are the highest. For instance, alcohol-related crashes often peak during late-night hours and around major holidays.
- Increase enforcement without requiring local governments to pay the entire costs of doing so. For example, STEP grants can be used for reimbursement of overtime for eligible personnel.
- Create an environment where law enforcement is highly visible and support campaigns such as “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.”
- Use data to target resources. Illinois directs law enforcement towards counties with the largest share of crashes and population rather than distributing enforcement resources evenly across the state.
Get Qualified Legal Help Today
When facing a DUI charge, the quality of your legal representation can shape the course of your life. At Glasgow & Olsson, we don’t just practice DUI defense—we help define it.
Thomas Glasgow is widely recognized as a leading authority on DUI law in Illinois. He lectures statewide for the Illinois Institute of Continuing Legal Education, contributes to the definitive DUI legal manual used by attorneys across the state, and is a trusted legal voice on major networks including ABC, CNN, NBC, CBS, and Fox News.
When your freedom, reputation, and future are on the line, experience, judgment, and respect matter most.
Speak with our Chicago DUI defense team today and learn how decades of trusted experience can protect what matters most to you.