Hammond, IN – With the holiday travel season approaching, the Hammond Police Department announced it will increase patrols across the city as part of a statewide effort to reduce crashes and keep roadways safe. The initiative begins November 26 and continues through the end of December.
According to the department, the enforcement surge is part of Indiana’s annual Safe Family Travel campaign, coordinated by the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute and supported by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The campaign focuses on cracking down on impaired driving, aggressive driving, and seat belt violations—three of the leading factors in holiday-season crashes.
Officers will conduct overtime patrols, sobriety checkpoints, and saturation patrols to discourage unsafe driving and encourage seat belt use. “We see the consequences of unsafe driving every day,” said Douglas Huntsinger, executive director of the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute. “By buckling up, slowing down, and never driving impaired, we can all help make Indiana’s roads safer this season.”
Hammond Police Chief William Short echoed the reminder, urging residents to plan ahead before holiday gatherings. “If you plan to drink, plan a safe ride home. Stay sober behind the wheel or arrange a sober ride before the night begins,” he said.
The department highlighted that alcohol-impaired driving remains one of the leading causes of fatal crashes nationwide, and failure to wear a seat belt continues to be one of the most preventable causes of death on the road.
Drivers are encouraged to dial 911 to report unsafe or impaired motorists. For additional safety tips, residents can visit NHTSA’s highway safety website.
