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Posted: Saturday, 26 December 2009 3:49PM
Goal of fewer '09 traffic deaths within reach
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CHICAGO (STNG) -- The Illinois Department of Transportation is asking drivers for a very special Christmas present this year -- to end 2009 with 100 fewer vehicle-related fatalities than last year on Illinois roads.
As of Thursday evening, there have been 909 fatalities in Illinois in 2009, according to the state police Web site. That's 105 less than at this time last year.
If the state can finish out the year at the current level, it not only will meet IDOT's Save 100 Campaign goal of cutting down the number of accident-related deaths by 100, it also will be the first time since 1921 that Illinois has recorded fewer than 1,000 fatalities in a year, IDOT said.
IDOT and the Illinois State Police officially announced Operation Save 100 in November, but IDOT has been working with local law enforcement agencies and community advocates all year to coordinate efforts to save lives. With six days left in the Save 100 Campaign, IDOT Division of Traffic Safety Director Michael Stout was pleased with the progress made so far.
"This is a huge accomplishment," Stout said. "It tells me that the programs are working and our partners are working."
Locally, drivers in Kane County and Elgin matched the statewide trend. According to IDOT, Kane County has reported 38 crash-related fatalities in 2009 -- seven behind last year's total at this time.
"Barring a tragedy" this week, Elgin Police Traffic Unit Sgt. Matt Udelhoven said, in a few days, Elgin police will be able to record 2009 as having the fewest vehicle-related deaths in more than 20 years.
So far, Elgin police have handled only one traffic-related fatality this year. That occurred on the evening of Sept. 24, when a Bartlett man's motorcycle crashed into the back of a car on Route 20 on Elgin's east side, Udelhoven said.
According to police reports, the accident occurred when the eastbound motorcycle, ridden by Alex C. Konieczski, 23, of Bartlett, collided with a car near the Grace Street exit. Police believe the motorcycle was traveling in excess of 90 miles per hour when the crash occurred.
IDOT's Stout believes there were many reasons that 2009 turned out to be a safer year on Illinois roads. He listed an increased in seat belt usage -- at 92 percent compliance recently, up from between 70 and 80 percent a few years ago. He also mentioned fewer people driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs and the advent of the graduated driver's license program for teens.
Since the license program was started, Stout said, "We've seen teen deaths cut in half."
Stout also included Operation Teen Safe Driving, a peer support program for new drivers, and credited special enforcement patrols carried out by local law enforcement agencies.
These patrols are dedicated to watch out for speeding, seat belt violations and impaired driving.
"We have four officers out a night doing seat belt and speed enforcement details from 11 p.m. to 6 p.m. for the next two weeks," Udelhoven said of his department's most recent efforts.
"IDOT has been taking this seriously for a number of years," Udelhoven said. "And we have been taking advantage of the grants since about 1998" that fund the extra patrols.
The goal of Save 100 is about saving lives, Stout said. But it saves cash, too.
According to the National Safety Council, the average economic cost per motor vehicle fatality is more than $1 million, an IDOT said. Operation Save 100 ends at midnight Jan. 1.
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Sun-Times Media Wire Chicago Sun-Times 2009. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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