Prairie State Wire

As the summer travel season begins, Illinois authorities are launching a campaign to enforce seat belt laws and deter impaired driving. The "Click It or Ticket" initiative was announced by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT), Illinois State Police, and over 200 local law enforcement agencies.

Steve Travia, IDOT Director of Highways Project Implementation, emphasized the importance of safety during this busy period. "Throughout Illinois, Memorial Day means the start of summer road trips and an increase in traffic," he stated. "With additional vehicles on the roads, it's more important than ever to take standard safety precautions. Make seat belt use an automatic habit. It's not just the safe thing to do - it's the law."

The campaign will run through May 30, with increased efforts from law enforcement to remind drivers and passengers about buckling up and its legal implications.

Historically, holiday weekends see a rise in traffic fatalities. Last year's Memorial Day weekend resulted in 14 crashes causing 15 deaths in Illinois alone. Preliminary data from IDOT reveals that between 2020 and 2022, there were 2,475 traffic-related deaths in Illinois; over 60% involved individuals who were not properly restrained.

Col. Margaret McGreal from the ISP Division of Patrol highlighted these concerns: "The Memorial Day weekend is often seen as the unofficial start of summer, a time when people want to get out and hit the open road," she said. "Unfortunately, it's also a weekend where we see an increase in fatal crashes. Holiday weekend or not - wear your seat belt, don't speed, and don't drive distracted or under the influence."

For further details on "Click It or Ticket," visit www.buckleupillinois.org.