IDOT Hosts Safety Summit to Reduce Fatalities, Serious Injuries on Illinois Roadways

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) announced today that it will host the Illinois Safety Summit on June 10 and11 at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Springfield. The two-day event provides an opportunity for safety stakeholders from all over the state to participate in the effort to reduce fatalities and serious injuries on Illinois roadways.

“Illinois stands committed to improving safety on Illinois roadways and encouraging motorists to make life-saving choices when behind the wheel,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider. “We are proud to host the summit and look forward to exchanging vital information with transportation experts to help ‘drive zero fatalities to a reality’ in Illinois.”

More than 150 state safety advocates and national transportation leaders are registered to attend. The summit will include topics ranging from Chicago pedestrian safety zones to impaired driving. The goal of the summit is to work together to develop and implement strategies to save lives on roadways.

To date, there have been 341 fatalities on Illinois roadways compared to 415 fatalities this time last year. In 2013, there were 991 fatalities in Illinois. In an effort to eliminate fatalities on roadways, Illinois has adopted an overall zero fatality goal as part of the Illinois Strategic Highway Safety Plan (SHSP). The SHSP is a compilation of education, enforcement, emergency medical services and engineering safety strategies, plans and programs developed based on data driven priorities and proven effective strategies.

To learn more about IDOT’s safety initiatives, please visit http://www.dot.il.gov/slp/index.html.