State Police Promote Safety on Speed Awareness Day

During Illinois Speed Awareness Day on July 27th, the Illinois State Police are taking a proactive approach to promote safety for motorists, pedestrians, and cyclists through both education and enforcement. 

In Illinois during 2014, speed was the reason for 32% of all traffic fatalities. That was 348 deaths for the year. 

Speeding can have some dramatic consequences. When a pedestrian is hit by a car at 20 miles per hour, there is a 10% likelihood of being killed. At a speed of 30 mph the percentage increases to a 50% likelihood of being killed.

Approximately 16% of the speed-related fatalities in Illinois included pedestrians and cyclists.

When speeding there is a greater chance that other road users will misjudge how fast you are traveling. Speeding extends the distance required to stop a vehicle in emergency situations, and reduces a driver’s ability to navigate safely around curves or objects in the road.

Anyone needing more information about Illinois Speed Awareness Day, please visit www.illinoisspeedawarenessday.org.