Traffic Safety Coalition Announces Traffic Fatalities in Illinois on the Decline

March 30, 2012 - PRLog -- CHICAGO – The latest statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show the number of fatalities on Illinois’s roadways declined 26 percent, including a 21 percent reduction in speed-related fatalities, from 2006 to 2010. Illinois roads are getting safer with increased seatbelt usage, improved air bag technology, safer driving habits and local police departments taking advantage of new technology to hold lawbreakers accountable through the use of live-saving enforcement tools such as red light cameras.  

According to NHTSA data, there were 927 fatalities on Illinois roads in 2010, down from 1,254 in 2006.  Speed-related fatalities were also reduced from 556 in 2006 to 437 in 2010.  

One contributing factor to this reduction has been the increased use of traffic safety cameras.  Data across the country shows cameras change driver behavior, deter drivers from breaking the law, reduce crashes and save lives.  This has been the case in communities across Illinois:

• Chicago –Intersection safety cameras in Chicago led to a 32 percent reduction in fatal red light running crashes (Insurance Institute for Highway Safety).

• Naperville, Illinois –While active, intersection safety cameras in Naperville led to a 65 percent reduction in red light violations and a 27 percent reduction in injury crashes at just one intersection (City of Naperville).

• Westmont, Illinois –Intersection safety cameras in Westmont led to a 35 percent reduction in red light running violations (Westmont Police Department).

Traffic safety cameras have the support of the Illinois General Assembly, Governor Pat Quinn and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel.  As recently as February 2012, legislation was passed and signed into law authorizing the use of speed cameras in Chicago schools and parks zones.  Legislation has also been introduced in the General Assembly which would expand the authorization to other cities in the state.

Before signing the Chicago legislation into law on February 6, 2012, Governor Pat Quinn outlined his support for speed cameras, noting:

“Reducing speed around schools and parks where children are present is a good policy for Illinois, and I’ve signed the legislation because I think it does have an impact on safety” (“Gov. Quinn signs bill to allow speed cameras near schools, parks,” Pioneer Local.  2/6/12.)