The Hinsdale Police Department will be focusing on the most lethal hours for motorists — midnight to 3 a.m. — when it kicks off a 17-day traffic safety enforcement campaign on Friday, Aug. 21.

The program, funded by the federal government through the Illinois Department of Transportation, allows the department to dedicate traffic enforcement officers to enforcing seat belt and impaired driving laws during those hours throughout the village.

“The statistics provided by IDOT that show the higher incidence of traffic fatalities and impaired driving during the target hours are pretty compelling,” said Mark Wodka, Hinsdale deputy police chief.

According to IDOT statistics, 67 percent of all vehicular fatalities over the last four years occurred between midnight and 3 a.m., and involved a driver who had been drinking.

Also, only 27 percent of those who died in crashes between midnight and 6 a.m. were properly restrained, the statistics showed.

“Our officers routinely enforce all traffic safety laws, but this program allows us to have officers dedicated solely for the purpose of this initiative during those hours,” Wodka said.

Wodka said the grant will provide 125 hours of dedicated enforcement over the course of the campaign, 90 hours allotted for seat belt enforcement, 30 hours for drunk driving enforcement.

The program is part of the state’s ongoing “You Drink, You Drive. You Lose.” campaign.

Wodka said designating a sober driver and not allowing friends and family to drive impaired are two key steps in avoiding accidents or arrest.

Other ways to reduce unnecessary accidents include calling a taxi, using mass transit or contacting friends to get home safely; promptly report impaired drivers to law enforcement agencies to take them of the road; and wear a safety restraint at al times.