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"One of our most important jobs in
state government is to protect our children and our families on
Illinois roadways. That's why my administration has worked so hard
with the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois
State Police to make our roads safer. And, I believe this past Labor
Day shows us our efforts are paying off," said Gov. Blagojevich.
"Reduced traffic deaths are the direct
results of drivers being more alert and making smart decisions,"
said Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Timothy W.
Martin. "We are working very closely with the Illinois State Police
and other state agencies to send the message that if you drink and
drive, you lose."
Over the last 24 years nearly 500
people have died on Illinois roadways over the Labor Day weekend, an
average of more than 20 driving-related deaths per year. The
reduction in highway deaths from 20 last year to 12 this year is
seen as a result of stepped-up state education and enforcement
efforts related to alcohol and seat belt use.
"Illinois state troopers were out in
full force this year working with city and county police to send the
message statewide that we will not tolerate motorists who drive in a
reckless fashion," said Illinois State Police Director Larry G.
Trent. "I want to compliment the media for helping to get the word
out, our schools and social service agencies for teaching our young
people to drive safely, and family members who have prevented their
loved ones from driving while intoxicated."
During the weekend of Sept. 3-6 the
Illinois State Police issued 8,462 driving citations statewide, 458
(5 percent) related to alcohol and 2,381 (28 percent) for safety
belt violations. These numbers compare with 8,094 driving citations
in 2003, including 260 for alcohol (3 percent) and 3,681 for safety
belt violations (45 percent).
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"Illinois is above the national average
in alcohol-related deaths, and it is vital that we work together to
reduce the number who are killed on our highways," said Martin. "We
will continue to look for creative and effective new ways to get all
Illinois motorists to buckle up and get impaired drivers off the
road."
The improved holiday safety results
come just more than a year after Gov. Blagojevich signed legislation
changing the state's seat belt law from a secondary to a primary
violation. Since the primary law was signed in July 2003, more
motorists are buckling up. The Illinois Department of Transportation
reports that in June of 2003, 76 percent of motorists were wearing
their safety belts, and in 2004 the number of motorists buckled up
had jumped to 83 percent. Illinois' 7 percent increase in seat belt
usage was the highest compared with other states in the Great Lakes
region. Indiana saw an increase from 82.4 percent to 83.8 percent;
Michigan increased from 84.9 percent to 86.8 percent; while
Minnesota dropped from 79.4 percent to 78.6 percent.
As a result of the primary seat belt
law, Illinois will likely see an increase in federal funds it
receives for safety programs once a new federal transportation
spending bill is completed.
The Illinois
Department of Transportation and the Illinois State Police are
teaming up with local law enforcement agencies to conduct safety
belt enforcements where a small contingent of police officers wave
over and ticket motorists who are not wearing seat belts. Over the
recent Labor Day weekend, state officers also teamed up with county
and municipal police around the state to conduct roadside sobriety
tests.
[News release from the
governor's office]
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