Drivers urged to focus on driving safety

[OCT. 4, 2005]  SPRINGFIELD -- Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Timothy W. Martin announced Monday a national, state and local effort to increase safety and driving awareness while commuters drive to and from work. Martin called on Illinois drivers to participate in the Drive Safely Work Week, a national campaign designed to emphasize the importance of driving safely, both on and off the job.

"Driving can be one of the most dangerous things someone can do every day," Martin said. "When you're driving, your focus should be on the road, not checking your personal digital assistant, eating or talking on your cell phone."

IDOT's Division of Traffic Safety urges motorists to "Be Ready. Be Set. Be Focused."

• Be ready to make critical driving decisions.
• Be set for the unpredictable behavior of other drivers.
• Be focused so that you can react quickly and correctly in any situation.

The Network of Employers for Traffic Safety sponsors Drive Safely Work Week. The organization is working to address the environmental, mental and physical distractions that drivers engage in and encounter on our nation's roads.

Employees spend more time on the road than ever before and have unprecedented access to mobile and in-vehicle technologies. If not managed and used responsibly while driving, these new technologies could impair a driver's focus and result in a crash.

In 2004, Illinois' traffic deaths fell to a 60-year low. A total of 1,356 people died in traffic crashes last year. The figures for 2004 are an 8 percent drop from 1,454 traffic deaths recorded in 2003.

The Illinois Department of Transportation has partnered with the International Brotherhood of Teamsters and Red Bull energy drink to promote safe driving among their employees.

"The Teamsters want to urge motorists to be cautious while driving on state highways and through work zones," said Tony Barr, president of Teamsters Local 916. "Put down your cell phones and limit your distractions while driving, because the life you may save could be your own."

It is estimated that a driver makes 200 decisions for every mile of driving. The IDOT Division of Traffic Safety strongly urges Illinois residents to buckle up every time, every trip. Increasing the overall safety belt usage rates helps achieve the goal of reducing injuries and fatalities on Illinois roadways.

Here are a few tips for drivers to keep in mind before getting behind the wheel:

• Plan your route ahead of time.
• Ensure that your car is in good working order.
• Keep your trunk stocked with essential items for an emergency.

[Illinois Department of Transportation news release]