Increased seat belt use gets results

Fewer fatalities each year since 2003         

[JULY 24, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich announced July 17 that Illinois motorists are buckling up at an all-time record rate, with almost nine in 10 drivers and front seat passengers wearing their safety belts. The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 88 percent of front seat occupants observed were wearing their seat belts, up 2 percent from last year and 12 percent from when Blagojevich signed the primary safety belt enforcement law in 2003. Also, through June 30 of this year, there were 607 people killed on Illinois highways, one fewer than a year ago and 64 fewer than the same period in 2003, before the primary seat belt law was in place.

"When I signed the law three years ago that gave police the authority to stop drivers for not wearing their safety belts, the goal was to save lives," Blagojevich said. "These numbers tell us that people are getting the message. More people than ever are wearing their seat belts, and our roads are safer because of it."

Blagojevich signed the primary enforcement law in July of 2003. Prior to that, police could not pull a driver over based solely on a seat belt violation. Since 2003 there has been an increase in safety belt usage of 12 percentage points. In June 2003 Illinois' safety belt compliance was 76 percent; it climbed to 83 percent in June of 2004 and 86 percent in June of 2005. The Department of Transportation's 2006 safety belt survey shows usage at 88 percent.

"Illinois continues to move in the right direction as motorists are taking notice and buckling up in record numbers," said Don McNamara, regional administrator for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. "IDOT and the state police must continue enforcement and education efforts on what we know saves lives, the fatal five: safety belts, speeding, improper lane usage, following too closely and impaired driving."

Illinois received $29.7 million in additional safety funding from the federal government because of the primary safety belt enforcement law signed by Blagojevich in July of 2003. That funding will be spent over the next three years, primarily for education and enforcement, as well as for additional safety engineering.

"We are making Illinois roads safer. Whether it's through fear of a ticket or finally understanding it's the easiest way to save your life in a car wreck, more motorists are buckling up," said Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Timothy W. Martin. "We're trying new things aimed at safety. For the first time we have a Comprehensive Highway Safety Program, we're adding a new Motorcycle Enforcement Bureau, photo radar, and aggressive enforcement and public information campaigns to get motorists to buckle up, slow down and not drive impaired."

Since the primary safety belt law, fatalities on Illinois roads have been down by nearly 100 each year. In 2003 there were 1,454 total fatalities, in 2004 there were 1,355, and in 2005 there were 1,360. Through the first six months of this year there were 607 fatalities, compared with 608 for the same time period last year and 648 in 2004.

"We have a strong working relationship with IDOT, and we share similar goals in keeping the roadways safe for everyone," said Illinois State Police Director Larry Trent. "Ultimately it's your decision. But, because we care about our citizens, troopers will continue to take a zero-tolerance approach in seat belt enforcement. It's been proven time and time again -- buckling up saves lives."

The governor has made improving traffic safety issues a priority for his administration and has actively supported legislation to reduce fatalities on our state's highways. Previous traffic safety measures signed by the governor include these:

• A law that doubles the amount of time teens must have behind the wheel before receiving their license.

• A law that bans teen drivers from carrying more than one passenger for the first six months after receiving their license.

• A law that bans cell phone use by drivers under 18.

• Requiring drivers under 18 to make sure that their teen passengers are buckled properly in the front and back seats.

• A law that raised the age at which children must be in booster seats from 4 to 8.

• Increased penalties for drivers over the age of 21 who transport a child under the age of 16 while impaired.

• Chemical testing required for those arrested for hit-and-run.

• Harsher sentencing for causing a death while driving impaired.

• Tougher penalties for driving on a DUI-revoked license.

[News release from the governor's office]