More drivers are illegally getting behind the wheel

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) - With world-renowned programs like engineering, Purdue University attracts students from across the country and around the world.

But police said adjusting to foreign rules and laws can sometimes be hard for international students, especially the rules of the road.

"In some cases, they're used to driving on the other side of the road or they're used to not having higher speed limits," said Purdue Police Chief, John Cox.

But that may not be the most dangerous adjustment.

According to Purdue police records, more drivers are illegally getting behind the wheel.

From Jan. 1 to Aug. 15 of 2011, Purdue officers cited five drivers for operating while never having received a license. This year, police have issued 23 citations over the same time period.

That's an incredible 460-percent increase. Purdue police are trying to reduce that number.

"We got with our International Students and Scholars program to try and find out how we can better educate our international students," said Cox.

Cox said if international students choose to drive on Purdue's campus, they must have an international driver's license or an Indiana driver's license.

Cox said Operation Pull Over may have something to do with a recent spike. Operation Pull Over is a time when officers can pull over as many as ten people in one hour.

"One of the things that we're out there looking for, depending on the blitz, is aggressive driving; it could be a DUI blitz, it could be for whatever that particular blitz period is for," said Cox.

Purdue police records also show a big increase for drivers driving with a suspended license. That number of citations has more than doubled from last year.

Cox said the penalty for operating a vehicle while never having received a license is a misdemeanor and a court appearance.

He said the same is true for driving while suspended, but second-time offenders could be charged with a felony.