|
“I am
committed to keeping the citizens of our state safe on Illinois’
roadways,” said Governor Blagojevich. “With these funds, meaningful
education and community outreach programs, such as those operated by
Eastern Illinois University can continue to reduce the number of
Illinois’ traffic related fatalities.”
Motor
vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for Americans. In
Illinois, during 2002, 1,420 persons were killed in fatal crashes.
The total estimated cost of all crashes in Illinois for 2002 was
$8.5 billion.
The
first grant, in the amount of $210,384 will continue to fund the
operation of the Child Passenger Safety Resource Center. The center,
run by the EIU Office of Safety Programs, is designed to increase
the usage rates of occupant protection devices for all age
populations in the state of Illinois. Specific education already
focuses on child restraint and safety belt awareness and usage. The
EIU Office of Safety Programs’ Resource Center provides assistance
to families and caretakers and addresses the challenges of
transporting children safely.
“Protecting all children of Illinois from injury or death is one of
the most important aspects of a community’s traffic safety program,”
said Tom DiLello, director of IDOT’s Division of Traffic Safety.
“Keeping our kids safe starts with educating those responsible for
transporting our children each and every day.”
The
second grant, worth $291,994, will be used to fund an EIU Office of
Safety Programs’ alcohol program designed to reduce the number of
fatalities and serious injuries resulting from traffic crashes by
intoxicated drivers. The program will feature increased enforcement
of DUI laws and will extend its Team Approach to the Prevention of
Alcohol, Other Drug, and Traffic Safety Problems in Higher Education
Program to colleges and universities around the State of Illinois.
The U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration funds both grants.
[News Release]
|
