Secretary's Desk

 

The roadways are filled with people traveling on vacation, visiting loved ones or other fun adventures this summer. With the increased number of cars, trucks, motorcycles, boats and bicycles—safety must be the top priority so that everyone returns home safely.

 

The annual motorcycle awareness kickoff was held in May with press events, windshield washing projects and public awareness campaigns reminding motorists that with warmer weather, more motorcycles are on the highways. The “Don't Drink and Ride” campaign is also in full swing encouraging motorcyclists to never drink and ride. IDOT/DTS urges motorists to always look for motorcycle riders and to “share the road” with them.

 

Motorcycle riders are also encouraged to take advantage of the Cycle Rider Safety Training Program (CRSTP) courses. CRSTP courses provide an excellent opportunity to brush up on motorcycle safety. They are held at 60 locations throughout Illinois and are free to any Illinois resident age 16 years or older who holds a valid driver's license or permit. For additional information on course locations and schedules, go to www.startseeingmotorcycles.org.

 

In last summer's CAUTION! issue, I urged everyone to join our efforts to lower traffic fatalities to below 1,000 by the end of 2009. Thanks to everyone's help, we lowered that number to 911. Safety belt usage has risen to 92.6 percent, up from 91.7 in 2009. We believe the decrease in Illinois fatalities is a direct result in safety belt usage. Also, impaired driving fatalities are on the decline. These successes would not have been possible without the hundreds of dedicated IDOT staff and partners throughout the state who work tirelessly to make our highways safer.

 

We need your help to make 2010 the safest year on record for our roadways. Watch for our safety campaigns like “You Drink & Drive. You Lose,” “Click It or Ticket” and “See Orange. Slow Down. Save Lives.”

 

Remember during your summer celebrations:

 

1. watch out for motorcycles;

2. never drink and drive-or ride;

3. always wear your safety belts every trip, every time;

4. always properly restrain your children every time you get into a vehicle; and

5. do not drive distracted.

 

Have a happy, but more importantly, safe summer.

 

 

 

 

Archives