IL - State Police every 10 MILES AGAIN!!!
New Initiative aimed to reduce person injury and fatal crashes on the Interstates
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois State Police (ISP) and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today a new enforcement initiative aimed to help increase safety and reduce fatalities during the Labor Day weekend. The “Stay Alive on the I’s” enforcement initiative begins on Friday, Aug. 31, at 2 p.m. and continues until midnight. During that time, all Illinois interstates will be saturated with Troopers placed every 10 miles along interstate corridors. The “Stay Alive on the I’s” enforcement initiative concludes on Monday, Sept. 3, with a detail from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.
“The goal of this enforcement initiative is to reduce the number of crashes in order to prevent injuries and fatalities on the interstates,” said ISP Director Larry G. Trent. “The fatal five violations – speeding, seat belt use, DUI, improper lane usage, and following too closely – and Scott’s Law, will be the primary enforcement objectives. Motorists can do their part to help make Labor Day a safe holiday by electing to buckle-up, slow down, and drive defensively.”
The idea to saturate the interstates with Troopers stems from an initiative called “Stay Alive on I-55” which occurred the Friday before Memorial Day. The enforcement strategy positioned Troopers on Interstate 55 every 10 miles from St. Louis to Chicago beginning at noon and concluding at midnight. This initiative resulted in no fatalities on I-55 during that time. Top agency officials are hopeful the same results will occur over Labor Day.
“IDOT strongly endorses the ‘Stay Alive on the I's’ enforcement campaign. IDOT is committed to expending the resources necessary to ensure people make it to their destination safely. We do whatever we can to prepare the interstates for safe travel. Unfortunately, some drivers get careless or reckless and cause serious, life-threatening crashes on our roadways,” IDOT Acting Secretary Milt Sees said.
Due to the increase of Troopers on patrol throughout the holiday weekend, Director Trent and Director Stout remind motorists of Scott’s Law which requires motorists to yield to moving emergency vehicles, including highway maintenance vehicles, displaying oscillating, rotating, or flashing lights. Additionally, Scott’s Law requires drivers to change lanes (if safe to do so) or reduce speed and proceed with caution when approaching a stationary vehicle displaying flashing warning lights.
Over the 2006 Labor Day Weekend there were 271 crashes on Illinois interstates handled by the ISP which resulted in 2 fatalities. Troopers posted every 10 miles on the interstate will have the highest impact on the largest concentration of travelers. “Stay Alive on the I’s” is in conjunction with the Labor Day Combined Accident Reduction Effort (CARE) and IDOT’s “You Drink And Drive. You Lose” campaign.
|
|
Reply With Quote
Bookmarks