Illinois' traffic deaths hit 63-year low: "Click it, or ticket'"

We all hate the discomfort of seat belts, and yes, they can be a royal pain in the patootie, BUT--- the numbers don't lie...

In 2003, not wearing a seat belt became a separate, ticketable traffic offense in IL, and law enforcement agencies throughout the state began an agressive seat-belt enforcement and education campaign; failure to wear your seat belt could result in a $75 ticket for the first offense, and failure to restrain children under the age of 8/under 60 lbs. in car seats was even more costly, with fines of up to $500 for repeat offenders. The 2-year campaign featured a media blitz, random checkpoints where people obeying the law were given coupons for free pizzas, baseball games, etc., and not simply tickets for law breakers. The results speak for themselves:

In 2003, an average of 44% of motorists in IL wore seat belts consistently; in 2005, 83% wear them consistently. Traffic deaths hit a low not seen since 1943, and the number of disabling and life-threatening injuries sustained in automobile accidents has been halved, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. In my own county, we went from 9 traffic deaths in 2002 to none in 2004.

I know you hate 'em, guys, but they DO save lives. Peace.

---Tony :D

Ummm, I don't mind them

The whole anatomical difference thing, you see...

:hi:

to drive downstate to visit my folks...

Putting on my seat belt is automatic. And I don't know if you should solely rely on air bags. Air bags may be unreliable. Seat belts aren't.

That's good news about Illinois' low traffic deaths. Good news. :-)

T

:thumbsup::hug:

In my home town near you CL, the main 4 lane streets speed limit is 30! GAWD, I hate drivin when I'm there. I can't go 30 anymore, no matter how hard I try!

The speed limit here is 25 or 30 almost all over town; it only changes to 40 out near the interstate.

:)

That's what kills me. Bloomington/Normal isn't a small town for God's sake. Population is over 100,000! LOL. 30! AARRGGGGGGG

A 30 mph limit is only used when the traffic engineers feel there is too much foot traffic and too many driveways.

Slow down.

Do you want to run down a child?

And we are keeping convicted drink drivers from getting licensed to drive for a LONG time after conviction!

:thumbsup:

pizza driver) for several years. Being in such a high-profile driving job, I always wore my seat belt, and didn't mind it at all. Putting on my seat belt became second nature, and it felt awkward to drive without it.

Helping in the safety department, the speed limit in all of the neighborhoods in my delivery area was 20 mph, plus I would drive even slower if necessary during peak "kid hours" after school.

I got my pizzas "there on time" by having my delivery area memorized so I would not have to take time and look at a map to find the addresses of my customers.

I wish they would have random checkpoints giving out coupons for people obeying the law here in Houston (fat chance!).

from the wreck I had a few weeks ago with only minor aches, no bruises or scratches. My truck on the other hand was majorly damaged, $9,000.00 worth. I hit pretty hard the first hit and I am certain I would have come up over the steering wheel without my seat belt. I can't even go down my driveway without it on, it feels like I am naked. YAY seat belts. :hi: