• 22
  • November
    2011

This past Monday the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and state police announced the beginning of a road safety campaign- Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over.

The campaign is timed coincide with this upcoming holiday weekend, which has historically had a high rate of car accidents in Illinois. According to IDOT, last year over the Thanksgiving holiday there were 15 fatalities and over 740 injuries on Illinois roads.

Over the weekend, 200 law enforcement agencies will target seat belt and impaired driving violations. IDOT estimates there will be 40 roadside safety checks and over 1,700 seat belt enforcement zones.

Jeffrey Jacobs, of the Illinois State Police, cautioned motorists about dangerous driving behaviors, "We need people to be aware of the 'fatal four' dangers on the roadway, which are speeding, not wearing a seat belt, distracted driving and DUIs."

By simply wearing a seat belt motorists are much less likely to be killed or injured in a serious motor vehicle accident. Although the rate of Illinois drivers who wear seat belts is high during the day, motorists are much less likely to buckle up in the evening.

Beginning next year in Illinois, the driver and all passengers (including those in the back seat) will be required use a seat belt, but motorists shouldn't wait until then. A much bigger threat than getting a ticket is the risk of experiencing death or injury from an auto accident. Choose to drive sober and buck up to ensure a safe holiday season.

Source: Journal Star, Police, IDOT caution motorists to buckle up, be ready for checks, Eric Engel, 21 November 2011