The Illinois tollway system is one of the safest transportation systems in the U.S. Even at this year’s pace, the system will still fall well below the national highway fatality rate. I’m afraid a recent article (“Illinois tollways on a record deadly pace,” Oct. 17) may unintentionally draw motorists to reach a different conclusion.
While the tollway system is well-engineered and well-patrolled, there unfortunately are some motorists who fail to exercise good judgment. More than 80 percent of the people killed in motor vehicle crashes this year were not wearing seat belts. Unrestrained children involved in crashes were four times more likely to suffer reportable injuries than properly restrained children.
Motorists who drive above the limit, who tailgate, who swerve from lane to lane, who drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs and who fail to use seat restraints are the overwhelming reason for death and injury on our highways.
State troopers who patrol the tollway system take pride in the safety record they help to maintain and are frustrated with the manner in which some motorists drive. Speed-related traffic stops are up 25 percent this year, from 25,494 to 31,992. Alcohol-related enforcement is up 26.6 percent. Seat-belt and child-restraint enforcement is up 34.5 percent. Commercial truck inspections are up 66 percent.
But police officers and transportation systems only work effectively when motorists accept responsibility for their driving habits. No matter how safe the highway or how many tickets are written, if drivers fail to accept this responsibility, we will all share in the needless suffering that results.
