Additional hearings are scheduled for May 15 in
Hoffman Estates, May
16 in Rockford, May 22 in Peoria, May 23 in Springfield, May 29 in
Orland Park and May 30 in Chicago (see below for meeting locations).
The meetings come as the Department of Transportation and its
Division of Traffic Safety are working to build on the safest year
on Illinois roads in more than 80 years. Traffic fatalities fell
below 1,300 for the first time since 1924, with more than 100 fewer
people killed on Illinois highways during 2006 than 2005, while at
the same time safety belt usage neared 90 percent.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/May/09/images/ads/current/mitchell%20newhouse%20bca%20040707.png)
"Since Gov. Rod Blagojevich signed primary safety belt
enforcement into law in 2003, Illinois has seen a steady decrease in
fatalities and an increase in safety belt use," said Michael Stout,
director of the Division of Traffic Safety. "Our goal is to continue
to build on our success in saving lives. A key to this effort is
getting the public involved. That's why these safety hearings are so
important, because we need input and involvement from the public in
order to build on our momentum."
Preliminary data shows there were 1,254 traffic deaths on
Illinois roadways in 2006, the lowest total since 1,065 deaths
recorded in 1924. Since 2003, traffic fatalities have dropped from
1,454 to 1,355 in 2004 and 1,363 in 2005. During that same time
frame safety belt usage has increased each year, from 76 percent
usage in 2003 to 88 percent usage in 2006.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/reference/ads/current/sew%20personal%20business%20card%20ad%20020207.png)
The Division of Traffic Safety of the Illinois Department of
Transportation develops the Highway Safety Plan every year and must
submit it to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration by
Sept. 1. The plan addresses highway safety issues and details
problem areas, proposed countermeasures and the proposed funding
levels for each. The Division of Traffic Safety will use the
comments gathered at the meetings as it develops the plan this
summer, and it will become part of the state Comprehensive Highway
Safety Plan.
[to top of second column]
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/reference/ads/current/chriscoyne%20bca%20020207.png)
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/May/09/images/ads/current/roger%20webster%20const%20bch%20050207.png)
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/May/09/images/ads/current/cookies%20lunch%20bc%20ad%20040607.png) |
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/May/09/images/ads/current/graueinc%20lda%20ag%20day%20sponsor%20032007.png) In each public hearing, Division of Traffic Safety staff will
present an introduction and overview of the current Highway Safety
Plan. The meeting will also feature an open session where both
written and oral testimony will be accepted from community members.
Below is complete list of traffic safety
hearings scheduled at eight locations in Illinois from May 8 to May
30.
For more information about Illinois' traffic safety programs,
visit
http://www.dot.state.il.us/safety.html.
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/2007/May/09/images/ads/current/hearing%20aid%20center%20bch%20041807.png)
Public hearings schedule
Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety
Doors open at 6 p.m.; hearings start at 7 p.m.
-
May 8 --
Carterville
John A. Logan College
Batteau-Ivey Room, F-103 & 104
310 West Plaza Drive
-
May 9 --
Collinsville
Collinsville Public Library
Community Room
408 W. Main St.
-
May 15 -- Hoffman
Estates
Hoffman Estates Village Hall
1900 Hassell Road
![](http://archives.lincolndailynews.com/reference/ads/current/charrons%20bcard%20ad%20020207.png)
-
May 16 -- Rockford
Memorial Hall
211 N. Main St.
-
May 22 -- Peoria
American Red Cross
311 W. John H Gwynn Jr. Ave.
-
May 23 --
Springfield
Illinois Department of Transportation
Division of Traffic Safety -- Annex
3215 Executive Park Drive
-
May 29 -- Orland
Park
Orland Park Civic Center
14750 S. Ravinia Ave.
-
May 30 -- Chicago
James R. Thompson Center
100 W. Randolph, Room 2-024
[Text from Illinois
Department of Transportation news release received from
the
Illinois Office of
Communication and Information] |