Published: November 24, 2009 08:38 pm      

Click It or Ticket gearing up for holiday weekend

Staff Report

SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois State Police and the Illinois Department of Transportation are teaming up to reduce traffic fatalities this Thanksgiving weekend through a Click It or Ticket mobilization.

According to information from the state, highway fatalities are down so far in 2009.

“While Illinois motorists have reached a record high of 91.7 percent safety belt usage mark, the new campaign aims to save even more lives by reaching a 100 percent safety belt compliance rate,” information states. “The Illinois Department of Transporta-tion, Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies are coordinating the statewide law enforcement crackdown.”

There will be 193 enforcement agencies participating in the crackdown and 12,268 total enforcement hours will be used. The crackdown will be in conjunction with the Operation Save 100 Initiative aimed at saving 100 lives by the end of 2009.

“We are proud to work with state and local law enforcement to help decrease the number of fatalities in Illinois and encourage more motorists to buckle up,” IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig said. “Buckling your safety belt saves lives and is also the best defense against an impaired driver.”

The state reports this is the sixth anniversary of the primary safety belt law, which was enacted in 2003. Since the law was enacted, statewide safety belt compliance has increased 15.5 percent from 76.2 percent in 2003 to 91.7 percent this year. In addition, highway fatalities have dropped from 1,454 in 2003 to lows not seen since 1923. As of Nov. 10, fatalities have dropped from 883 last year to 781 this year.

“The Illinois State Police will remain diligent in our ongoing efforts to reduce fatalities on Illinois roadways, especially during the upcoming holiday season,” ISP Director Jonathon Monken said. “Our officers are determined to reduce fatalities and achieve a record low fatality rate during 2009 by enforcing safety belt and child safety seat laws during the Click It or Ticket mobilization.”

The additional enforcement details will be held through Nov. 29.