Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has launched the second year of its "It's Not a Game" safety campaign, utilizing retro video game themes to promote traffic safety. The campaign aims to educate the public on safe driving practices and reduce traffic-related injuries and fatalities.

"You don't need a quarter to play and find out the decisions you make behind the wheel are not a game," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. He emphasized that this year's effort is IDOT's most extensive yet in spreading the message that everyone can contribute to reducing road fatalities in Illinois to zero.

The campaign addresses various aspects of road safety, including motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, seat belts, work zones, impaired driving, distracted driving, and new for 2023, speeding. The creative materials employ an arcade-style video game format to convey that road safety is serious business and encourage "wreck-less" driving as a shared goal.

Running throughout the year with heightened focus during peak summer months, the campaign's media presence spans bars, restaurants, gas stations, social media platforms, summer festivals, stadiums, online channels, as well as traditional radio and TV. Advertisements will also be available in Spanish.

Additional resources are accessible at www.itsnotagameillinois.com. The website offers an online quiz providing safety statistics which users can share on social media.

Provisional data indicates 1,269 people died on Illinois roads in 2022—the seventh consecutive year with over 1,000 traffic fatalities in the state—reflecting a national trend. Preliminary statistics show 439 deaths in Illinois so far this year through May 30.

The "It's Not a Game" initiative is funded by federal traffic safety funds administered by IDOT.