Speed facts: contributor in 43% crash fatalities; fuel consumption nearly doubles between 55 mph and 75 mph         

[DEC. 26, 2006]  SPRINGFIELD -- Here in Illinois, 43 percent of all crash fatalities were due in part to speeding. Statistics show the probability of death, disfigurement, or debilitating injury doubles for every 10 miles per hour over 50 miles per hour that a vehicle travels.

Speeding, without even causing a crash, also affects personal expenses. Passenger cars and light trucks use about 50 percent more fuel traveling at 75 miles per hour than they do at 55 miles per hour.

Captain James Wolf, District 9 Commander, announced today that District 9 Troopers would conduct Speed Patrols Enforcing and Educating Drivers (SPEED) in Sangamon County on I-55 and I-72. Troopers will enforce speeding laws to ensure drivers and their passengers arrive safe and alive.

District 9 Troopers will concentrate on speeding violations. In addition to speeding, officers will watch for occupant restraint violations and other traffic violations which are contributing causes of crashes such as following too closely, improper lane usage, and aggressive driving. The Illinois State Police will conduct SPEED patrols in conjunction with regular patrols during (January). Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. Nationally, speeding-related crashes accounted for approximately 30 percent of all traffic fatalities.

SPEED patrols are funded through a grant from the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.

[Illinois State Police news release/LDN]