Caution Magazine - Winter 2011

FROM THE SECRETARYS DESK

2011 was another exceptional year for the Illinois Department of Transportations Division of Traffic Safety (IDOT/DTS).

Occupant protection and impaired driving programs raised driver safety awareness with campaigns like Click It or Ticket (CIOT) and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over (DSGPO). CIOT and DSGPO played a major role in maintaining the under 1,000 fatality standard. Safety belt usage rose to 92.9 percent and because of the decrease in alcohol-related fatalities, Illinois was again designated as a low fatality rate state by the US Department of Transportation.

While occupant protection and impaired driving initiatives are important for IDOT/DTS, increased

emphasis on motorcycle awareness and work-zone safety programs also contributed to a continuing decline in injuries and fatalities. Public service announcements and outreach events created in 2011 put a bright spotlight on the Start Seeing Motorcycles and See Orange. Slow Down. Save Lives. campaigns.

The commercial vehicle safety unit also experienced substantial accomplishments in 2011. Improved commercial vehicle data reporting reflected the efficiency of vehicle inspections, compliance reviews and safety audits. Illinois went from 178 fatal crashes involving large trucks in 1999, down to 85 fatal crashes in 2009 for a decrease of 52.3 percent. Illinois rate of decrease of fatal crashes is the second in the country when looking at data spanning 1999 through 2009 and the trend has continued through 2011.

More emphasis was placed on bicycle safety due to a rise in dooring incidents. Dooring occurs when bicyclists collide with the open door of a parked vehicle. In response to this problem, IDOT/DTS has developed an online report to track dooring occurrences. Data is currently available for 2010 to present.

IDOT/DTS experienced significant achievements in 2011, and goals have been set higher for 2012. Impaired driving and less usage of safety belts are still common late at night especially among young male drivers. Greater emphasis will be placed on encouraging nighttime drivers to buckle up and designate a sober driver. Also, methods of addressing the distracted driving problem, the texting and driving ban and a new law in 2012, requiring everyone in the vehicle to buckle up, will be integrated into all safety programs.

IDOT/DTS will work throughout the year continually improving safety programs to try to make 2012 the safest year on Illinois roadways in history.

Do your part. Drive safely in 2012!

Ann L. SchneiderSecretary

SECRETARYS OFFICE217/782-5597 Springfield312/793-2242 Chicago

DIVISION OF TRAFFIC SAFETY217/782-4972

CRASH RECORDS217/782-6518

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETYHAZARDOUS MATERIALS

217/785-1181DIESEL EMISSION

217/557-6081SCHOOL BUS ISSUES

217/785-1181PUBLIC EDUCATION MATERIALS

217/557-0132ALCOHOL PROGRAMS

COORDINATORSHANNON ALDERMAN

217/557-6670STATE OCCUPANT

PROTECTION COORDINATORJENNIFER TONEY

217/782-0964NATIONAL HIGHWAY

TRAFFIC SAFETYADMINISTRATION (NHTSA)

DOT VEHICLE SAFETY HOTLINE1-888-327-4236www.dot.il.gov

2012 Illinois Department of Transportation

KRISTEN CHIAROEditor-in-Chief

CATHY ALLENCOURTNEY BEELIB GRANZEAUCYNDI TITUS

Editing

KRISTEN CHIARODesign and Layout

SHANNON ALDERMANLESLIE BERLIANTJUDY DIETHELMJULIE COPLEA

MEGAN EAIRHEARTLIB GRANZEAU

MARIANNE HANKINSGINA KENNY

SCOTT KRISTIANSENLES NUNESTOM WISE

Contributing Writers

KRISTEN CHIAROPhotography

RESOURCE NUMBERS

I am honored to have the opportunity to serve the Illinois Department of Transportation as Interim Director of the Division of Traffic Safety following the departure of Director Mike Stout. I am happy to say that this staffs program record under Director Stout has been outstanding.

I have worked at IDOT since September 1998, first as a policy specialist in the Office of Planning and Programming, then for a full decade as Assistant to the Secretary, and since 2009, as Director of Communications. I received a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of Missouri School of Journalism, and I received a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of Illinois, Springfield.

Secretary Schneider asked that I serve as Interim Director until a permanent appointment is made. I am not a candidate for the permanent appointment. My job as the interim replacement is to begin a full review of programs and key processes in order to help the permanent appointee get up to speed

quickly as we continue the important work of Traffic Safety.

I appreciate the hard work and cooperation of IDOT/DTS staff and partners, and I look forward to promoting traffic safety messages and guiding the division into the future.

Interim DirectorJohn A. Webber

1 CAUTION!-WINTER 2012

THE DIRECTORS PEN

OCCUPANT PROTECTIONThe occupant protection program focuses on safety features designed to protect occupants of motor vehicles in the event of a crashprimarily safety belts and child safety seats.

Over 500 state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the May 2011 Click It or Ticket

Mobilization to increase safety belt compliance in Illinois.Aggressive public information and education campaigns distributed thousands of materials via mail and through various community outreach events.Over 1800 nationally certified child passenger safety (CPS) technicians inspected car seats and educated parents on the correct installation of their child safety seats at events across the state. In an effort to keep these technicians nationally certified, IDOT/DTS hosted six regional CPS workshops and 29 skills enhancement sessions statewide.Illinois was among the leaders nationwide in the number of child safety seat inspection events held in conjunction with the 2011 National Seat Check Saturday. Partnering with AAA and Evenflo Child Seats, Illinois held over 80 events with over 450 technicians inspecting 1350 child safety seats for proper use and installation.

IMPAIRED DRIVINGThrough its grant program, IDOT/DTS assists local and state law enforcement agencies to enforce Illinois impaired driving laws. A focus of this effort is late-night hours when the most individuals die in alcohol-involved and/or unbuckled crashes.

Highly-visible Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaigns during major holidays of Independence Day, Labor Day and Christmas/New Years Eve proved successful in ridding Illinois highways of impaired drivers.IDOT/DTS supported groups such as Students Against Destructive Decisions, Alliance Against Intoxicated Motorists and ThinkFirst that put forth an underage drinking/impaired driving message. IDOT/DTS distributed thousands of materials via mail and through various community outreach and news events in an effort to dramatically lower instances of impaired driving.Assisted with DUI Courts and DUI prosecution in a few select jurisdictions.The Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor Program conducted DUI training for prosecutors, law enforcement and other traffic safety partners throughout the state.

OPERATION TEEN SAFE DRIVING (OTSD)This nationally recognized statewide program is in its fourth year. The teen-led program is sponsored by the Ford Company Fund and The Allstate Foundation. All Illinois high schools are eligible to apply.

More than 395,000 teens have been touched by this program since 2007, with over 3.2 million people within the OTSD communities.Since the inception of the program, teen fatalities have dropped 45 percent.

2011 IN REVIEW


YEAR IN REVIEW

2011 IN REVIEW


MOTORCYCLE SAFETY PROGRAMIDOT/DTS initiated the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP) in 1976 in an effort to reduce injuries and death by offering training classes for motorcycle operators.

This training program is one of only two in the nation that offers free motorcycle training to any Illinois resident 16 years of age or older who holds a valid automobile or motorcycle drivers license or permit.Illinois has over 460 instructors teaching over 2,200 courses at more than 55 training sites.In 2011, over 20,000 motorcyclists received traininga 20 percent increase over motorcyclists trained in 2009.IDOT/DTS had a visible presence at numerous cycling events throughout the state. Motorcycle safety materials were created and distributed at those events to educate riders.

COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY (CVS) IDOT/DTS houses the Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP) grant administered by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA).

CVS partnered with Illinois State Police to enforce federal motor carrier safety and hazardous materials regulations.Safety audits and compliance reviews were conducted on both interstate and intrastate carriers.Commercial motor vehicles, and the companies represented, not in compliance were taken out of service thus making our roadways safer.

VEHICLE INSPECTION UNIT

Monitored the Illinois Official Testing Stations as well as conducted non-scheduled inspections of all school buses, religious organization buses and buses registered as charitable vehicles.As a result of this unit, thousands of truck/trailer, school bus inspections and diesel emissions tests identified non-compliant vehicles. They were removed from roadways possibly reducing commercial vehicle-related injuries and fatal crashes.

YEAR IN REVIEW

YEAR IN REVIEW

MEDIA AND COMMUNITY OUTREACHIDOT/DTS is responsible for educating the public about the importance of our many lifesaving programs. This effort takes place in many formsthrough paid media outlets, partnerships, health and safety fairs, distribution of educational materials, etc.

MediaIn conjunction with our Click It or Ticket enforcement campaigns, nine press events were held statewide in May during the Memorial Day holiday and nine again in November during the Thanksgiving holiday. These events were held in Chicago, Decatur, East Moline, Metro East St. Louis, Marion/Carbondale, Peoria, Quincy, Rockford and Springfield.Television, radio and alternative media outlets such as Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, in-theatre and digital screens at health clubs, bars and nightclubs were used to air public service announcements concerning the importance of buckling up and not driving impaired or distracted.A media blitz occurred during the Fourth of July weekend, Labor Day and Christmas/New Year holiday to promote the dangers of impaired driving during the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over enforcement campaigns.Six live wet labs were held with radio personalities around the state for the 2011 Labor Day campaign to show the effect drinking has on judgment. These were well received, and several radio stations videotaped the wet lab and played it on their website the week prior to Labor Day weekend. Twelve press events were held, six for the wet labs on August 26th and six focusing on road side safety checks in Alton, Carbondale, Rockford, Chicago, Moline and Springfield.The Governor proclaimed the month of May as Motorcycle Awareness month. However, paid media spots for the Gear Up and Start Seeing Motorcycles campaign ran from April through September in an effort to alert the public that warm weather brings out motorcycles on our

highways. On March 30th, three press events were held alerting cycle riders to Gear UpChicago, Springfield and Alton. On May 3rd, three press events were held to alert the public to Start Seeing MotorcyclesChicago, Springfield and Marion.Well known country western singer, Dierks Bentley, donated his appearance for a Public Service Announcement regarding motorcycle safety.The Work Zone Safety media awareness occurred from mid-April through mid-September and encouraged motorists to be aware of roadway workers and to drive

cautiously through work zones at all times.The total of these media campaigns is $4.5 million. Millions of citizens were reached.Numerous prime-time radio interviews were conducted with IDOT/DTS staff during each campaign.


YEAR IN REVIEW

Community OutreachMultiple events were held throughout the summer reaching thousands with our important safety messages. For the 4th consecutive year, IDOT/DTS partnered with NASCAR in Joliet to promote safety belts and impaired driving campaigns. IDOT/DTS had a tent at the Illinois and DuQuoin State Fairseach day highlighted a different safety program where materials and information were distributed to the thousands of fair goers.For more than seven years, IDOT/DTS staff has attended minor league baseball games throughout the state. The Click It or Ticket night at the ball parks has proven to be an effective tool for reaching this audience.Traffic Safety advocates received thousands of educational materials through our Public Education and Information Program. These materials are free of charge and were distributed at numerous health and safety fairs.Chicago Auto Showmillions of car enthusiasts received IDOT/DTS information at the child passenger safety booth.March MadnessIDOT/DTS staff distributed educational materials at the state basketball tournaments to promote safety belt, impaired and distracted driving messages.IDOT/DTS motorcycle staff distributed educational materials at 16 events throughout

the state.IDOT/DTS motorcycle educational materials were distributed statewide at specially designed kiosks located at 50 motorcycle dealerships.In November, IDOT/DTS rolled out the Yellow Dot program statewide. This Governors initiative, free to all Illinois residents, uses a yellow dot on the rear windshield to alert first responders to a crash that a medical card is located in the glove compartment that contains vital medical information for the occupants of the car.

AWARDSSADD (Students Against Destructive Decisions) awarded IDOT/DTS, with the Outstanding Contribution Award for its efforts in helping teens make the right choices. Illinois received a 5 star ratingthe highest rating possible in Mothers Against Drunk Drivings report to the nation. Wanda Vazquez, Traffic Safety Liaison for the city of Chicago, received an award from the Combined Law Enforcement Hispanic Heritage Committee in September 2011 for her outstanding community outreach in the Hispanic communities in Chicago

By LIb Granzeau, IDOT/DTS Executive Secretary


GRANTEE FEATURE

What do NASCAR, Chicagoland Speedway, race car drivers and IDOT have in common? They all support traffic safety! Since 2007, BLU MOON Group has been working with IDOT to bring traffic safety messaging to race fans at Chicagoland Speedway and Route 66, as well as sports fans across the state. Why NASCAR and race car drivers? Because safety on and off the track is critical to the sport. Why race fans? Because they are driving-behavior influencers, deeply loyal to supporters of their sport and include one of the key demographics that most states want to reach with safety messages; males age 18 34.

BLU MOON Group has been working to bring traffic safety messages to sport and entertainment venues and engage celebrity messengers since the company started. Working with organizations like RADD and TEAM, we saw the power of bringing positive safety messaging to people where they live, work and play. We first met IDOT when we brought the RADD teen safe driving program, SMASHED to Illinois, holding screenings of the documentary and community meetings to discuss the dangers when teens, alcohol and cars mix and what could be done to save lives. IDOTs commitment to safety and reducing motor-vehicle related deaths and

injuries was immediately apparent, and we were thrilled to help leverage our relationships in sport and entertainment to help them to reach their goal of reducing fatalities on Illinois roads to under 1000.

While our main focus with IDOT has been motor sports, driver PSAs and media around traffic safety, we have also facilitated outreach at other sporting venues, including traffic safety outreach at the 2009 MLB All Star Game in St. Louis, at Soldier Field during the Bears 2010 football season and this past June with the Chicago White Sox, all in collaboration with the TEAM Coalition.

BLU MOON has also facilitated engaging high-profile personalities, celebrities and media, including various musicians at motor sports events who serve as traffic safety advocates and teen safe driving PSAs featuring Chicago-based recording artists, The Plain White Ts. We have taped IDOT traffic safety PSAs with top NASCAR drivers, including Carl Edwards, 2011 Daytona 500 winner Trevor Bayne, NNS Rookie of the Year Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and many others.


Over the years, by having a presence during race weekends, IDOT has been able to reach hundreds of thousands of people to participate in buckle up and designated driver pledges, reminding them to stay safe on the roads. Its also become an opportunity for fans to interact with traffic safety personnel and share their own stories of being saved by the belt. For the last few years, visitors have begun seeking out the IDOT booth, whether to get their free photo, complete with a traffic safety branded frame, or talk about their commitment to seat belt use. Chicagoland generously donates the space to IDOT, along with other available assets including race tickets to be used in random drawings and more.

IDOT booths and give-aways were a big hit at Chicagoland Speedway during the 2011 season, including: June STP 300 (NASCAR Nationwide Series) and the Messina Wildlife Animal Stopper 150 presented by Menards (ARCA Racing Series) race weekend, the OReilly Auto Parts NHRA Nationals (NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series) July

7-10th, the Chicagoland Speedway Trackside Party on July 28th the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race September 16th, the Dollar General 300 presented by Coca-Cola (NASCAR Nationwide Series) September 17th, and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race on September 18th. IDOT also participated in the KidzWay area this year, demonstrating proper child safety seat use.

In addition to interacting with fans, race weekends also provide the chance for IDOT officials to further engage drivers and track personnel about carrying traffic safety messages, whether by taping PSAs for the state or expanding the reach of the program both at the Speedway and throughout the state.

We are looking forward to the 2012 traffic safety outreach with IDOT, which will again include events with NASCAR, NHRA and more, as well as an exciting traffic safety outreach program with Chicagoland Speedway and area schools.By Leslie Berliant and Judy Diethelm, Blu Moon Group

GRANTEE FEATURE



IDOT/DTS has developed and implemented a popular Yellow Dot program. The program assists citizens to have readily available personal and medical information for the first responders in the event of a crash. A round yellow sticker placed on the rear windshield of a vehicle will alert first responders (e.g., fire fighters, paramedics, police officers) to look for a corresponding yellow card in the glove compartment that contains personal and medical information. Results of the Yellow Dot Program in other states prove that treatment by first responders within the first 60 minutes following a severe crash, known as the Golden Hour, makes a significant difference between life and death.

The Yellow Dot program started in Connecticut in 2002 and was later promoted in other states. The program has grown significantly since 2002. Alabama for instance, has implemented the Yellow Dot program in 26 of their 67 counties with over 30,000 individuals participating.

The Yellow Dot program is simple and straight-forward. Participation in the program is free and open to all citizens of all ages. Once participants sign up for the program, they will receive the following Yellow Dot materials:

A Yellow Dot Decal-This will be posted on the driver side rear windshield.

A Yellow Dot Card-Participants need to complete and place it in the glove compartment where it should remain all the time. The card should be filled out and updated as needed. The data and

information on the form include personal information (name, address, and phone), emergency contact information (name, address, and phone), medical history information (types of illness), blood type,

allergies, medications, physicians and insurance information.

RATIONALEWhen a crash occurs, the first responders usually have only basic information, such as the location of the crash and the number of victims. In this early and critical period of care, very little personalized information is available. By implementing

this program, first responders will have essential medical and personal information on crash victims that will help save lives. Based on the experience of other states like Connecticut and Alabama, this program is very low

cost and has the potential to save lives and reduce injury, especially among senior citizens and young children with medical conditions or those who need immediate medical attention and may not be able to communicate. Elderly persons are particularly vulnerable because they tend to have more medical conditions, are on more medications and are generally more fragile. This program will improve emergency response for them following a crash.

TARGET POPULATIONAlthough this is a statewide program and includes everyone, it mainly focuses on senior citizens and the special needs population that tend to have more severe medical problems. By Marianne Hankins, Yellow Dot Illinois Program Coordinator

NEW PROGRAMS

Yellow Dot Program

IDOT and law enforcement officials are stressing safety by urging motorists to prepare for unfavorable winter driving conditions. IDOT, Illinois Tollway and the Illinois State Police (ISP) have partnered to roll out the states frontline winter crews and ensure that emergency equipment is ready for the upcoming snow and ice season.

The historic snowfall amounts last year tested IDOTs relentless 24/7 operation, in which staff and partners worked tirelessly, safely and effectively to remove heavy amounts of snow and ice from roadways in the mosttreacherous conditions, said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. We are proud to partner again with the Illinois State Police and Illinois Tollway to encourage all motorists to slow down, buckle up, cooperate with snow plows and always have an emergency kit in their vehicle for unexpected weather conditions. Safety is always the number one priority at IDOT.

During the 2011-2012 winter season, more than 3,690 employees and 1,732 pieces of equipment will be available for deployment as needed by IDOT to

keep state routes clear and passable. Last year, the agency spent $84.6

million on snow removal and spread 562,220 tons of salt.

For many years, ISP, Tollway and IDOT have worked together

to urge motorists to drive defensively and safely in

winter weather.

Illinois State Police districts are

coordinating road safety plans with the Tollway and

IDOT to ensure that our traffic

enforcement priorities include safe driving, safe

roads and safe access for all citizens during the winter months, said ISP Division of Operations Colonel Mark Piccoli.

On the Illinois Tollway, more than 400 employees are ready with 183 plow trucks and other equipment prepared to combat snow and ice storms this winter across the 286-mile Tollway system in Northern Illinois. The Tollway has about 80,000 tons of salt on hand along with other supplies, including liquid calcium chloride and angular crushed stone. Stockpiled salt supplies are well in excess of the average 86,000 tons typically used during a single winter season.


TRAFFIC SAFETY

Ice and Snow -Take It Slow CampaignReduce Speed, Buckle Up and Dont Crowd the Plow


TRAFFIC SAFETY

The Illinois Tollway works year-round to prepare for the winter season and make sure our roadways are safe and reliable for our customers, said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. Drivers should be prepared for winter driving conditions and remember to dial *999 if they are in need of Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.) truck assistance on the Illinois Tollway.

Other safety tips include:

Dont crowd the plow a snow plow operators field of vision is restricted. You may see them, but they may not see you.

Watch out for black ice roads that appear clear but can be treacherous. Take it slow when approaching intersections, off-ramps, bridges and shady areas - all are prone to black ice.

Always keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full to help prevent the vehicles fuel line from freezing.

Do not travel unless absolutely necessary - if you do have to make a trip, check the forecast

and make sure someone is aware of your travel route.

Always carry an emergency car care kit that contains jumper cables, flares or reflectors, windshield washer fluid, a small ice scraper, traction material, blankets, non-perishable food and a first aid kit.

Carry a cell phone and dial *999 for roadway assistance.

Always wear a safety belt.

Motorists are urged to check travel conditions before any trip. You can get road condition information by calling 1-800-452-IDOT (4368), Illinois Tollway information by calling 1-800-TOLL-FYI or online at www.gettingaroundillinois.com and click on the winter road conditions icon. Article Taken from Press Release:http://www.illinois.gov/PressReleases/ShowPressRelease.cfm?SubjectID=2&RecNum=9860

Campaign Materials:www.clearroads.org/driversafety_resources.html

The holiday travel season in Illinois saw yet another partnership between the Illinois Department of Transportations Division of Traffic Safety (IDOT/DTS), the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies as they all came together during the holiday season for the Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over and Click It or Ticket crackdown.

Saving lives is the reason for every major holiday crackdown that occurs in Illinois throughout the year, and, it appears the hard work by law enforcement in 2011 has once again paid off. Illinois had 914 motor vehicle crash fatalities during 2011 representing the third straight year of sub-1,000 fatalities.

Were proud that our safety programs and our partnerships with law enforcement are paying off, said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. For the third year in a row, Illinois had less than 1,000 traffic deaths on our roads. Thats an incredible accomplishment and well continue to work hard to reduce these numbers even further.

Without question, the continued reduction in fatalities is due in large part to the outstanding effort of the Illinois State Police and law enforcement agencies throughout Illinois. 2011 proved this once again with IDOT/DTS and its hundreds of law enforcement partners continuing the strong enforcement message, utilizing both Click It or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled

Over to consistently emphasize a strong impaired driving and nighttime safety belt message.

In addition, Illinois new universal safety belt law took effect on January 1, 2012. That means motorists must be belted in all seating positions regardless of age. IDOT/DTS is excited about this laws life-saving potential and will be making it a big part of upcoming safety belt campaigns.

The 2011 Holiday Click It or Ticket/Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over ran from December 16, 2011 through January 1, 2012, and featured over 220 police and sheriffs departments partnered with the Illinois State Police to put an additional $900,000 in traffic enforcement on Illinois

roads including nearly 100 roadside safety checks and over 200 late-night safety belt enforcement zones. These patrols were combined with a strong radio and

TV advertising campaign that featured both an impaired driving and safety belt message.

Each 2011 holiday campaign also featured equipment incentives for participating law enforcement

agencies. This program allowed IDOT/DTS grantees and non-funded Illinois agencies who report their holiday

enforcement productivity to IDOT/DTS to be eligible to win enforcement equipment like moving radar units, Lidar, handheld radar units and portable breath testers. Following

each mobilization, a drawing was held among participating agencies that reported results to

IDOT/DTS and prizes were awarded. IDOT/DTS is continuing this program in 2012 and law enforcement agencies should log on at www.trafficsafetygrantsillinois.org/Default.aspx to sign up. By Shannon Alderman, Alcohol Programs Coordinator


IMPAIRED DRIVING

Click it or Ticket and Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over Came Together in 2011

In 2010 Illinois observed daytime safety belt usage rates reached 92.6 percent. While our statewide daytime usage rate exceeded 92 percent, post enforcement nighttime safety belt use was 2.8 percent lower at 89.8 percent. Data shows that unbelted occupants at night comprise a large portion of the fatalities across the United States.

In 2008 IDOT/DTS showed that 33 percent of all fatal car crashes occurred from midnight to 4:00 AM and the fatalities during that period showed the lowest compliance rate for buckling up. In response to this data, IDOT/DTS encouraged police departments to shift additional Click it or Ticket (CIOT) enforcement to nighttime hours while mandating grant funded law enforcement agencies to conduct more nighttime enforcement patrols from 11:00 PM to 6:00 AM.

Demographics of nighttime drivers and passengers differ significantly from daytime hours. Daytime drivers and passengers tend to have a higher concentration of parents with children and older adults while many late night drivers tend to include more high-risk motorists such as; male teen drivers, drivers with one or more moving violations, impaired drivers and /or individuals with criminal history who are engaged in criminal activity.

While police data referencing the correlation of traffic violations to criminal activity has been anecdotal, a recent three-year study done by the Washington State Police on nighttime safety belt enforcement provided a scientific look at this correlation. Therefore, in 2007 the Washington State Police received special federal funding for a demonstration project to organize and evaluate Nighttime Seat Belt Enforcement (N.T.S.B.E.) patrols. A research firm working under the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contract conducted an evaluation of the data gathered.

The results were as follows:

What did this research show about nighttime high risk drivers?

The researchers looked to determine if nighttime safety belt violations were a strong predictor of high risk drivers who are more frequently involved in other dangerous behaviors.

The results of the study showed a high number of drivers who were cited for not wearing a safety belt were also involved in other high risk and anti-social behavior at increased rates. Unbelted drivers at night had a significantly higher ratio of being involved in other traffic and criminal activity. Compared to daytime buckled drivers, unbuckled nighttime driver ratios showed they were from 1.3 to three times more likely to be involved in more serious traffic and/or criminal violations.

WSP Data Ratio to Daytime Violation Belted Drivers Moving Violations 1.4XSpeeding 1.3XReckless/Negligent 2.1XLicense Violations 2.4XAlcohol Violations 3.0XCriminal Offenses 2.1XFelonies 2.7XViolent Crimes 2.2X Washington State Police Study 2010

OCCUPANT PROTECTION

Benefits of Nighttime Seat Belt Enforcement


OCCUPANT PROTECTION

The Washington study showed there are many peripheral benefits to nighttime safety belt enforcement. It produces positive outcomes in other areas of traffic safety, provides an effective pointer index for identifying high risk and anti-social drivers and produces increased rates of enforcement in many areas of criminal interdiction. High visibility, data driven approaches to traffic enforcement can have a significant impact on overall crime especially when combined with initiatives like nighttime safety belt enforcement.

Criminals come and go in cars. If a local department is having a problem with gangs, drugs, or burglaries, it can quite often successfully mitigate these problems with an aggressive traffic enforcement program.

Our next generation CIOT strategies are focusing on public information and enforcement efforts during the daytime and nighttime hours. Successful models have incorporated periodic high-visibility campaigns in sustained year-round operations. As more data becomes available on the peripheral benefits to nighttime safety belt enforcement, more police agencies are shifting a greater percentage of their safety belt enforcement to nighttime enforcement.

Data from Illinois Our most recent grant data from the 2011 Illinois Memorial Day nighttime safety belt enforcement showed that in addition to officers writing 6,884 seat belt and child safety seat citations, officers also made 154 felony arrests, apprehended 127 fugitives, arrested 853 suspended drivers, made 198 drug arrests, recovered four stolen vehicles and wrote 3,994 other traffic related citations. While officers worked 56 percent less enforcement hours during the nighttime hours there were almost twice as many felony arrests made compared to daytime enforcement. Additionally, more fugitive, drugged, reckless and suspended drivers were arrested. Officers wrote more insurance citations and observed more than twice as many other traffic violations during the nighttime safety belt enforcement. These numbers seem to confirm the Washington State Police study.

The old adage that traffic law enforcement is law enforcement has never been more true. In times of shrinking resources and greater public demand on

law enforcement, effective enforcement strategies that produce multiple benefits are essential. Nighttime safety belt enforcement not only helps save lives by targeting our high risk drivers who are not wearing safety belts, it also helps police have a significant impact on people engaged in criminal activity.By Sergeant Scott Kristiansen, Traffic Unit Supervisor Buffalo Grove Police Department


OCCUPANT PROTECTION

2011 has been a great year for the Occupant Protection Program at IDOT/ DTS. The safety belt use in Illinois is at an all-time high at 92.9 percent; the General Assembly passed a back seat safety belt law requiring everyone in the vehicle to buckle up; overall child restraint use remains over 90 percent and Seat Check Saturday was another huge success.

Thank you for your support of our efforts to increase restraint use and raise awareness of our goals. With everyone working together, we are on track for our 3rd consecutive year of traffic fatalities under 1000.

There are many exciting opportunities occurring in 2012 which will aid us in achieving our 4th year of record-low traffic fatalities. After all, our mission is to save lives on Illinois roadways.

HIGHLIGHTS FROM 2011:

Over 500 state and local law enforcement agencies participated in the May 2011 Mobilization to increase safety belt compliance in Illinois.

To support enforcement efforts during mobilizations, the Occupant Protection (OP) program organized an aggressive public information and education campaign through distribution of thousands of materials via mail and through various community outreach events. Through all three OP campaigns in 2011 there were 803 orders mailed to traffic safety advocates.

Illinois has over 1800 nationally certified child passenger safety (CPS) technicians and instructors who inspect and educate parents on the correct installation of a child safety seat.

These technicians work at hundreds of events yearly checking thousands of child safety seats.

In an effort to keep technicians nationally certified, IDOT/DTS hosted six regional CPS workshops and 29 skills enhancement sessions statewide.

Illinois was among the leaders nationwide in the number of child safety seat inspection events held in conjunction with the 2011 National Seat Check Saturday. Partnering with AAA and Evenflo Child Seats, Illinois held over 80 events with over 450

technicians inspecting 1350 child safety seats for proper use and installation.

SPREAD THE MESSAGE: NEW BACK SEAT SAFETY BELT LAW!

Effective January 1, 2012, everyone in the vehicle is required to be restrained. Please help us spread this message during the year by reminding everyone to buckle up no matter where they sit.

DATES TO REMEMBER FOR 2012!February 17, 2012 FY13 Grant applications dueFebruary 29 March 1, 2012 CPS Instructor MeetingMay 11 28, 2012 Click It or Ticket mobilizationAugust 10 19, 2012 Illinois State Fair, SpringfieldAugust 25 September 3, 2012 Illinois State Fair, DuQuoinSeptember 16 22, 2012 CPS WeekSeptember 22, 2012 Seat Check SaturdaySeptember 25 27, 2012 Illinois Traffic Safety ConferenceNovember 12 25, 2012 Click It or Ticket mobilization

By Megan Eairheart, Assistant State Occupant Protection Coordinator


2011 Occupant Protection Year in Review

OCCUPANT PROTECTION


October 11 to 14, 2011 was a busy time at the Rochester Illinois Fire Station where 14 adult learners spent 32 hours attending (and all passing!) the National Child Passenger Safety Certification training program. Over the course of four days, the students discovered the same thing I did a number of years ago, that it is amazing how much there was to learn about how to protect children in vehicles.

The NHTSA approved curriculum utilizes a mix of classroom presentations, demonstrations and hands on practice. After three written quizzes and three hands on skills tests the new technicians were ready for the car seat check point held on the afternoon of the last day.

Classroom topics cover areas ranging from the Basics of Injury Prevention and Crash Dynamics to Rear-Facing Child Restraints and Children in Booster Seats. Along the way the many different types and brands of child restraints were extensively reviewed, as were the various safety belt systems with and without pre-crash locking features.

The final exam for the class was the car seat checkpoint held on the afternoon of October 14th at the Sangamon County Department of Public Health parking lot. During the checkpoint the students, working in teams, with the instructors overseeing their efforts, worked with parents to install seats in their vehicles. Over the course of the afternoon more than 25 children were made safer by having the installation of their child safety seats and booster seats checked and, in most cases, reinstalled correctly.

For individuals interested in becoming a certified CPS Technician, please contact your local Illinois Regional Traffic Safety Resource Center for information on upcoming classes. Contacts for the regional traffic safety liaisons can be found on the internet at www.buckleupillinois.org or contact the State Occupant Protection Coordinator Jennifer Toney at [email protected] or the Assistant Coordinator Megan Eairheart at [email protected]. By John Werthwein, Certified Child Passenger Safety Instructor

Training Future Child Passenger Safety Technicians

A work zone is an area where roadwork takes place and may involve lane closures, detours and moving equipment. Highway work zones are set up according to the type of road and the work to be done on the road. The work zone can be long or short term and can exist at anytime of the year, but most commonly in the summer.

Work zones on U.S. highways have become increasingly dangerous places for both workers and drivers. There are a large number of work zones in place across America, therefore, highway agencies are working on not only improving communication used in work zones, but to change the behavior of drivers so crashes can be prevented.

According to the National Safety Council, over 100 road construction workers are killed in construction zones each year. Nearly half of these workers are killed as a result of being struck by motor vehicles.

The number of construction zone injuries and fatalities are predicted to climb even higher. Increased funding for road construction during recent years has led to a significant increase in the number of highway construction projects around the country. Increased speed limits, impatient drivers, and widespread traffic congestion have led to an overall increase in work zone injuries and fatalities.

Work Zone Safety In work zones, traffic may be controlled by a person with a sign or flag to tell you which direction to travel, to slow down or stop. You must follow these instructions.

Barriers, such as drums, cones and tubes (panels) are used to keep traffic out of hazardous work zones. Along with signs and road markings, they guide you safely through the work zone. Barriers may be used to keep drivers from entering closed roads or other areas where it is dangerous to drive. Temporary traffic signals may be used in work zones. You may see a warning sign showing a symbol of a traffic signal. Stop at the white line, if present.

Speeding in Work Zones Causes Injuries and Fatalities When approaching a work zone watch for cones, barrels, signs, large vehicles, or workers in bright colored vests to warn you and direct you where to go. All temporary signs in work zones have an orange background and black letters or symbols and tell you what to do, how soon you will encounter the work zone and the speed limit through the work zone. The reduced speed limits are necessary for the safety of the workers and motorists. If there are no reduced speed limit signs, you should obey the normal posted speed limit.

As a driver, you should learn and abide by the following safety tips for driving in work zones:

Watch the traffic around you and be prepared to react by reducing your speed, obeying signs and flaggers and increasing your following distance. Do not become oblivious to work zone signs when the work is long term or widespread and be aware that traffic patterns in work zones can change daily including lane shifts or alternating lane closures. If traffic is light and speeds are still relatively high, merge early. If congestion increases, traffic slows down and gaps between cars close up, merge late and use the zipper method. Use extreme caution when driving through a work zone at night whether workers are present or not. Adjust your lane position away from the side where workers and equipment are located when possible. Some work zones are mobile and moving, such as when line painting, road patching or mowing are occurring. Just because you do not see the workers immediately after you see the warning sign does not mean they are not out there. Observe the posted signs until you see the one that says End Road Work. Expect delays, plan for them and leave early to reach your destination on time. When you can, avoid work zones altogether by using alternate routes.

Article taken from NHTSAs website: http://www.nhtsa.gov/staticfiles/nti/teen-drivers/pdf/workzones.pdf

WORK ZONE SAFETY


BICYCLE SAFETY

The cooler weather is no reason to put your bicycle in a corner of the garage and stop riding. With some tips and a few rides, you will soon find that winter riding can make you smile at winter forecasts.

ClothingOne of the most obvious things you will need to consider is what to wear for a winter bicycle ride. Wear a thin hat that fits under your helmet and covers your ears. Many winter cyclists also wear something to cover their lower face and neck. What you wear on your hands will depend on how cold it is and what type of riding you will be doing. Let the temperature help you decide between wind resistant full fingered gloves, ski gloves or windproof mittens over gloves.

Layers are important for your body with having the outermost layer being windproof and waterproof. Zippers, in the front as well as your underarms, can help prevent you from overheating. If you are not cold when you start, you are probably overdressed.

It is a good idea to wear thick socks, but make sure you have wiggle room in your shoes. If your toes are too cramped, circulation will be reduced which will make your feet colder. Shoe options range from bike shoes with shoe covers, hiking or heavy boots with flat pedals or winter bike shoes. For longer rides when it is really cold, some use adhesive toe warmers. Or you can invest in reusable heating inserts that run on small batteries.

Where to RideDuring the winter, you may find it easier to stay warm on mountain bike rides. The trees tend to block the wind and you are usually going slower than if you were on pavement, so there is less of a wind chill effect. After a heavy snow, it will usually take a few days for the snow to pack down enough to ride the trails.

Many still do plenty of riding on pavement in the winter as well. Most paved paths are not plowed

and can be difficult to ride on with skinny tires until the snow thaws. You may want to invest in thicker tires for winter riding. Streets can still be slippery immediately after they have been plowed, so you may want to wait a day or so to ride until the pavement clear and dry.

HydrationKeeping your water from becoming ice can be difficult. Hydration systems work if you remember to blow into the tube when you are finished drinking. Insulated water bottles are another option. Keeping a bottle in your jersey pocket can also work, as your body heat keeps the water from freezing.

Bike MaintenanceBikes ridden during the winter will need more TLC. Road salt and water can cause excess wear on your bike. Clean your bike frequently and wipe it down after every ride.

The More, the MerrierRiding with a group always makes it seem less cold. And, the more you ride, the less brutal the weather seems. I ride in the winter to stay fit, save money and stave off the cold weather blues, said Gin Kilgore, Bike Winter co-founder and program manager at the League of Illinois Bicyclists. Riding in the winter is great exercise. You can enjoy extra holiday festivities without worrying about extra pounds. For more tips on riding in winter, visit www.bikelib.org. Other resources are Bike Winter, at bikewinter.org and bikecommuters.com. By Gina Kenny, League of Illinois Bicyclists


Biking in Winter

TEEN DRIVING

Thanks to the many teen safe driving awareness campaigns within the state, Illinois has seen a 45 percent decrease over the past five years. Each year in the United States, more than 8,000 teens lose their lives in traffic crashes. The major reason teens are killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes are: lack of safety belt use, speed, distraction, impaired driving and lack of driving experience.

Illinois has taken this problem under attack and started the Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) program, a peer to peer teaching program as well as instituting one of the toughest Graduated Drivers License (GDL) programs in the country. Programs like the GDL and OTSD make a difference in saving teen lives but this is not enough.

Prom is a big event in teens lives and too many teens are killed or seriously injured over prom weekend. At an OTSD press conference in 2008, Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White asked a group of teenagers if they knew what PROM stood for, but none had a good answer. Secretary White explained it stood for Please Return On Monday and thus the idea for the IDOT/DTS PROM program was born! To help bring awareness, IDOT/DTS started the PROM program to assist high schools in their efforts to get teens to drive safely.

IDOT/DTS has 150 PROM packages available to Illinois high schools on a first come, first served basis. The packages served as pre-prom reminders to students that they should have fun at prom, but please return on Monday. The packages included: T-shirts for teachers to wear on the last school day before prom, lanyards, pens, bracelets and key chains all with the PROM message on them as well as fact sheets with information and statistics regarding teen driving issues.

In order to participate, each school is required to download an application form (TS 514) from the IDOT website and fax or mail it to IDOT/DTS. The application will be available by early January. The first 150 schools that apply get into the program. Once quota is met, the applications are no longer available on the website. Schools are also required to report how they used the PROM materials with a Reporting Form (TS 515).

Information on PROM can be found on our website at www.teensafedrivingillinois.org/prom/index.asp Information on OTSD can be found on our website at www.teensafedrivingillinois.org/ By Marianne Hankins, PROM Coordinator


TEEN DRIVING


The Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) program is in its fifth year. The Ford Motor Company Fund and the Governors Highway Safety Association have teamed up, once again, with IDOT/DTS and the Allstate Foundation, to continue this lifesaving program that encourages teens to creatively develop and implement community-based programs that help reduce traffic fatalities and injuries among their peers.

We are proud to announce the 2011-2012 OTSD selected schools!

Region 1 CityAlan B. Shepard H.S. Palos HeightsAQSA H.S. BridgeviewBremen H.S. MidlothianDwight D. Eisenhower H.S. Blue IslandEvergreen Park Community EvergreenJohn Hersey H.S. Arlington HeightsMorton East H.S. CiceroMother McAuley Liberal Arts ChicagoNotre Dame College Prep NilesOak Forest H.S. Oak ForestTaft H.S. ChicagoThornton Fractional North CalumetTinley Park H.S. Tinley ParkWells Community Academy Chicago

Region 2 CityCrystal Lake Central H.S. Crystal LakeDundee-Crown H.S. CarpentersvilleGardner South Wilmington GardnerGlenbard North H.S. Carol StreamGlenbard West H.S. Glen EllynH.D. Jacobs H.S. AlgonquinIslamic Foundation H.S. Villa ParkLincoln-Way Central H.S. New LenoxLincoln-Way West H.S. New LenoxMarian Central Catholic Wood StockNewark H.S. NewarkPlainfield South H.S. PlainfieldRomeoville H.S. RomeovilleVernon Hills H.S. Vernon Hills

2011-2012 Schools Selected!

OPERATION Teen Safe Driving

TEEN DRIVING


Region 3 CityEastland H.S. LenarkErie H.S. ErieLa Moille H.S. La MoilleLena-Winslow H.S. LenaMilledgeville H.S. MilledgevilleOregon H.S. OregonOttawa Township H.S. OttawaPecatonica H.S. PecatonicaPutnam County H.S. GranvilleRiver Ridge H.S. HanoverRiverdale H.S. Port ByronRock Island H.S. Rock IslandRockridge H.S. Taylor RidgeSerena H.S. SerenaWest Carroll CUSD #314 Savanna

Region 4 CityA-C Central H.S. AshlandAstoria H.S. AstoriaBeardstown H.S. BeardstownDeer Creek-Mackinaw MackinawEast Peoria Community East PeoriaFieldcrest H.S. MinonkGlenwood H.S. ChathamLanphier H.S. SpringfieldLiberty H.S. LibertyPleasant Plains H.S. Pleasant PlainsQuincy Senior H.S. QuincyRiverton H.S. RivertonRoanoke-Benson H.S. RoanokeROWVA H.S. OneidaSacred Heart-Griffin H.S. SpringfieldWaverly H.S. Waverly

Region 5 City Arcola Jr./Sr. H.S. ArcolaCerro Gordo H.S. Cerro GordoDeland-Weldon H.S. DelandDonovan H.S. DonovanEdinburg H.S. EdinburgGibson City-Melvin-Sibley Gibson CityHillside Bethel Christian DecaturManteno H.S. MantenoMeridian H.S. MaconMonticello H.S. MonticelloNeoga H.S. NeogaShelbyville H.S. ShelbyvilleTri-Valley H.S. DownsTuscola Community H.S. TuscolaWarrensburg-Latham Warrensburg

Region 6 CityAnna-Jonesboro H.S. AnnaBelleville East H.S. BellevilleCairo H.S. CairoCarrollton H.S. CarrolltonCivic Memorial H.S. BethaltoEgyptian Senior H.S. TammsElverado H.S. ElkvilleGillespie H.S. GillespieMadison Accelerated MadisonMarquette Catholic H.S. AltonMater Dei Catholic H.S. BreeseMurphysboro H.S. MurphysboroNorth Greene H.S. White HallOkawville H.S. OkawvilleRoxana H.S. RoxannaShawnee H.S. Wolf Lake

Region 7 City Carterville H.S. CartervilleDieterich H.S. DieterichGrayville H.S. GrayvilleHerrin H.S. HerrinHutsonville H.S. HutsonvilleMarion H.S. MarionMt. Carmel H.S. Mt. CarmelNewton Com. H.S. NewtonNCOE H.S. Norris CityOdin Public School Dist. #722 OdinPatoka H.S. PatokaPope County H.S. GolcondaSalem Community H.S. SalemSesser-Valier H.S. SesserWayne City H.S. Wayne City

Sponsors of this program include: Governor Pat Quinn, Secretary of State Jesse White, Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider, Illinois State Police, the Ford Motor Company Fund, The Allstate Foundation and the Governors Highway Safety Association. For more information on the OTSD program please visit our website: www.teensafedrivingillinois.org. By Marianne Hankins, OTSD Coordinator

MOTORCYCLE SAFETY

IDOT/DTS hosted the second annual winter motorcycle safety conference December 14 -15. Over 100 attendees comprised of motorcycle training instructors, members of the motorcycle riders groups of ABATE, Gold Wing Road Riders Association, Christian Motorcyclist Association and Illinois State Police motorcycle troopers enjoyed a wide array of speakers on topics of interest to the motorcycling community.

Participants were welcomed by IDOT/DTS Director Michael Stout and Terry Redman, manager of the IDOT/DTS Motorcycle Safety Unit.

Following is a listing of the distinguished program presenters along with a brief description of their presentation topics:

David Blanco (Chicago Police Department) Enforcement strategies

Dan Lonsdorf (retired Director of Wisconsin Highway Safety Office)

Motorcycling Behavioral Counter Measurements Rays Ochs (Director of Training Systems for the Motorcycle Safety Foundation)

Developments in motorcycle training curriculum Daniel Thomas, MD, MPH (President of the Snell Memorial Foundation)

Helmet technology and certification process Christopher Wohltmann MD (Associate professor of surgery for SIU School of Medicine)

Injuries resulting from motorcycle crashes

Michael Mayer (Director of Drivers Services, Illinois Secretary of State) & Eric Harbauer, Motorcycle field on-site testing for Illinois Secretary of State

Licensing and testing issues

IDOT/DTS presenters included:

Mehdi Nassirpour Ph.D., Manager Research and Evaluation

Illinois Motorcycle Safety Survey Greg Gifford IDOT/DTS Field Investigator Crash Reconstruction

Discussion of cases John Jones, Traffic Safety Resource Prosecutor IDOT Office of Chief Counsel

New statutes affecting motorcyclists Julie Coplea, Outreach Coordinator, IDOT/DTS Motorcycle Safety Unit

2011 outreach activities and plans for 2012

The post conference survey revealed that participants rated the event as a success and useful in their respective activities in the furtherance of motorcycle safety. Overall, the conference successfully spread IDOT/DTSs motorcycle safety messages. By Julie Coplea, IDOT/DTS Motorcycle Unit Staff Assistant


2011 Motorcycle Safety Conference

People share roadways everyday with commercial motor vehicles. These carriers are professionals who make every effort to keep their vehicles and drivers in compliance with all regulations. Carriers do not always realize the shortfalls in their equipment. Through IDOT/DTSs federally funded Motor Carrier Safety Assistance Program (MCSAP), roadway inspections are conducted in order to save motorists lives.

The Illinois State Police (ISP), in cooperation with the 30 MCSAP staff at IDOT/DTS, took part in five special roadside enforcement details in the last fiscal year. Their combined efforts were nationally recognized for removing unsafe drivers and carriers off the road. During these details, IDOT/DTS staff manned multiple roadside weigh stations to inspect the maximum amount of vehicles. Nearly 2,000 inspections were performed by IDOT/DTS staff, placing more than 31 percent of those vehicles out-of-service requiring those vehicles to be removed from the roadways until repaired. ISP assisted by monitoring normal roadside scale-passing facilities and brought in more than $175,000 in over-weight trucking violations.

IDOT/DTSs MCSAP has continued to thrive in its normal output of work in the compliance field. During the past calendar year, the program achieved extremely high numbers and marks to lead all Midwestern states in performance and is considered one of the highest in performance in the nation.

During calendar year 2011, IDOT/DTS performed:

2,912 New Entrant/Safety Audits. This represents nearly an all-time volume for performed audits. These audits educate new interstate farmers and new trucking companies when IDOT/ DTS staff visit their working environments individually to review and educate these groups in their industry requirements;

433 Compliance Reviews. When a carrier is identified as having shortfalls in their safety

operations, IDOT/DTS staff visits the company and assesses a fine against those violations in an effort to bring the carrier into compliance. This number represents the third highest number of compliance reviews ever completed in one year for IDOT/DTS. Further, based on the Federal Motor Carrier program guidance, specialized compliance reviews on motor coach carriers increase at a rate of more than 5 times the previous year review total;

Over $600,000 the amount of fines accessed by IDOT/DTS compliance staff during calendar year 2011, the third highest total amount of fines. With the addition of the 2011 year total, the MCSAP unit has accessed against violating companies during compliance reviews than $2,750,000 in fines in the past three years alone;

$530,362.50 the amount of fines collected from carriers by IDOT/DTS to be placed in the Road Fund for use on roadway projects at the Departments discretion;

Over 64,483 roadside inspections completed in calendar year 2011 through the efforts of IDOT/ DTS and ISP. Of those inspections, 14,863 (or 23.81 percent) vehicles were placed out-of-service due to mechanical issues. An additional 4,143 (or 5.43 percent) drivers licenses were either suspended or revoked or they had exceeded the maximum amount of hours of service they could drive.

While 2011 was a banner year, the program continues to expand and strive for excellence in promoting its ever expanding roles. The program is currently expanding roles of their compliance staff to aid in the prevention of crashes involving commercial motor vehicles and will continue its on-going training of current staff in specialized areas which will make the roadways of Illinois even safer. By Tom Wise, Motor Carrier Compliance Unit Chief


COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SAFETY

Commercial Vehicle InspectionsMaking Illinois Roads Safer

GRANT PROGRAMS

It is that time once again when the Illinois Department of Transportations, Division of Traffic Safety (IDOT/DTS) is accepting applications for local programs. Applications for highway safety projects for Federal Fiscal Year 2013 (FFY 2013) are currently available at www.trafficsafetygrantsillinois.org. FFY 2013 runs from October 1, 2012 through September 30, 2013. The deadline for accepting applications is February 17, 2012. Once again this year, applications must be signed and returned to:

Electronic copy e-mailed to: [email protected] in Word format

Hard copy mailed to: Grant Manager, Les Nunes Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety 1340 North Ninth Street Springfield, IL 62702

The following is a synopsis of local highway safety programs available for FFY 2013:

Local Alcohol Program (LAP) is designed 1. to produce a significant impact on a local communitys impaired driving program. Project activities may include local task force formation, DUI enforcement, public information and education, prosecution and adjudication.Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) 2. grants are designed to increase occupant protection usage and to reduce DUI through hire back enforcement. This program provides for participation in special enforcement campaigns such as Click It or Ticket and You Drink and Drive. You Lose. This program includes up to ten (10) enforcement periods. Enforcement details during Thanksgiving, Christmas/New Years, St. Patricks Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day campaigns are required for these grants.Regional Traffic Safety Resource Centers 3.

(RTSRC) is established to increase use and correct misuse of occupant protection safety devices. These centers provide information, training and on-going safety seat checks and are heavily involved in the Operation Teen Safe Driving (OTSD) program.

Child Passenger Safety Program (CPS) is 4. designed to reduce death and injury rate of infants and young children by providing safety seats and booster seats to local agencies for distribution to parents, grandparents, and/or guardians. New this year, DTS will allow up to one half of a full-time position to be reimbursed for personal services. Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Program (PBS) 5. is designed to aid public agencies in funding cost-effective projects that improve pedestrian and bicycle safety through education and enforcement.Injury Prevention Program (IP) is designed to 6. reduce fatalities and injuries sustained in traffic crashes through educational programs and other initiatives. Project activities may include educational presentations, coordinate public information campaigns and work with the media to raise public awareness of safe driving laws, use of occupant protection devices, designated drivers and other methods of increasing roadway safety.

The Highway Safety Program operates on a cost reimbursement basis. Local agencies/organizations that are approved for funding are required to pay for project expenses initially, and are then reimbursed by IDOT/DTS for approved, documented expenditures.

For more information about these programs, please visit www.trafficsafetygrantsillinois.org, call the IDOT/DTS Grant Manager at (217)557-5964 or e-mail [email protected]. We look forward to partnering with you in FFY 2013 and making Illinois a safer place to travel. By Les Nunes, IDOT/DTS Grant Manager


TRAFFIC SAFETY PARTNERS

Carl BallingerRandy Blackford

Darrell ClarkDennis EmbreeBart KostrubalaJames MondolaPhilip Murnane

Pat OBrienFrank PumoJohn Rice

Jennifer SampleAubrey Schuckman

Jim ShalesLaura Wilson

Amy AdamsRobin BenjaminLisa BlackburnRuth Casper

Danny ChapmanCharles Eckert

Maria FordFelicia Gaston

Brian HendricksPatricia Marconi

Donna NallJo Ann Ragland

Clayton RothLynda Ruff

Rich SouthcombeMike Stout

www.cautionmagazine.org

Welcome Farewell

Traffic Safety Welcomes new staff committed

to making Illinois roadways safer

and bids farewell to those who

dedicated their lives to Traffic

Safetys lifesaving initiatives.

Caution Magazine - Winter 2011

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Transcript of Caution Magazine - Winter 2011