Speed Costs Everyone

[March 01, 2008]  SPRINGFIELD -- Capt. James W. Wolf, Illinois State Police District 9 commander, announced Thursday that District 9 officers will conduct special patrols in March on interstate 55 and 72 in Sangamon County. The special enforcement effort is known as Speed Patrols Enforcing and Educating Drivers. These patrols will be conducted in conjunction with regular patrols.

District 9 troopers will concentrate on speeding violations. In addition to speeding, officers will watch for occupant restraint violations and other traffic violations that are contributing causes of crashes, such as following too closely, improper lane usage and aggressive driving.

Speeding is one of the most prevalent factors contributing to traffic crashes. Nationwide, speeding-related crashes account for 30 percent of all traffic fatalities. Here in Illinois, 39 percent of all crash fatalities are due in part to speeding.

Troopers will enforce speeding laws to ensure drivers and their passengers arrive safe and alive. Statistics show that the probability of death, disfigurement or debilitating injury doubles for every 10 mph over 50 mph 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 mph than they do at 55 mph.

The special 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.

[Text from file received from Illinois State Police District 9]