Illinois Department of Transportation Warns of Traffic Deaths in Digital Billboard Message
By: Vi Nguyen
Updated: September 20, 2012
September 20, 2012 (ROCKFORD) -- The digital message board is part of the state's effort to reduce the growing number of traffic deaths.
"I knew it was a scare tactic, but it still caught my attention. It was very very visible," said Motorist Travis Cole.
The sign we're talking about here is this one: a digital message board launched by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
It's part of their "Driving Zero Fatalities to Reality" campaign, an effort to reduce the number of traffic-related deaths in the state.
"The numbers that we have on the billboards that's a reflection of the toll number and fatality. Actually fatalities have risen this year as compared to last year," said IDOT spokesperson Josh Kauffman.
Crash data report shows that 479 fatalities occurred on Illinois roadways in July 2012. That number has since increased to 709 deaths as of September 20th.
"I thought it was a lot of people. We're from Minnesota. We only have... we don't have nearly that many number of people," said Motorist Greg Newinski.
Data also shows 29 traffic related deaths occurred in Winnebago county in 2010. That number is sitting at 16 two years later, but it could change tomorrow.
IDOT officials hope the alarming message will encourage motorists to take extra precaution the next time they hit the Illinois roadway.
Starting with messages like: "Don't Drink and Drive", "Save a Life, Buckle Up", "Stay Off The Phone in Work Zones", and "Gear Up and Drive Safe".
"These messages help to further reduce that number of fatalities in Illinois roadways because safety is the highest priority at IDOT. We want to make sure that motorist have those important messages and that they make the right step to ensure their safety as well as family," said Kauffman.
Click here for more data from Illinois Department of Transportation.
The digital message board is updated daily around 10:00 a.m.
"I knew it was a scare tactic, but it still caught my attention. It was very very visible," said Motorist Travis Cole.
The sign we're talking about here is this one: a digital message board launched by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
It's part of their "Driving Zero Fatalities to Reality" campaign, an effort to reduce the number of traffic-related deaths in the state.
"The numbers that we have on the billboards that's a reflection of the toll number and fatality. Actually fatalities have risen this year as compared to last year," said IDOT spokesperson Josh Kauffman.
Crash data report shows that 479 fatalities occurred on Illinois roadways in July 2012. That number has since increased to 709 deaths as of September 20th.
"I thought it was a lot of people. We're from Minnesota. We only have... we don't have nearly that many number of people," said Motorist Greg Newinski.
Data also shows 29 traffic related deaths occurred in Winnebago county in 2010. That number is sitting at 16 two years later, but it could change tomorrow.
IDOT officials hope the alarming message will encourage motorists to take extra precaution the next time they hit the Illinois roadway.
Starting with messages like: "Don't Drink and Drive", "Save a Life, Buckle Up", "Stay Off The Phone in Work Zones", and "Gear Up and Drive Safe".
"These messages help to further reduce that number of fatalities in Illinois roadways because safety is the highest priority at IDOT. We want to make sure that motorist have those important messages and that they make the right step to ensure their safety as well as family," said Kauffman.
Click here for more data from Illinois Department of Transportation.
The digital message board is updated daily around 10:00 a.m.
Traffic Related Deaths as of September 20, 2012
Boone County
Boone County
- 7 deaths in 2012
- 8 deaths in 2011
- 3 deaths in 2010
DeKalb County
- 4 deaths in 2012
- 5 deaths in 2011
- 7 deaths in 2010
Lee County
- 6 deaths in 2012
- 8 deaths in 2011
- 5 deaths in 2010
Ogle County
- 6 deaths in 2012
- 4 deaths in 2011
- 9 deaths in 2010
Stephenson County
- 4 deaths in 2012
- 6 deaths in 2011
- 3 deaths in 2010
Winnebago County
- 16 deaths in 2012
- 20 deaths in 2011
- 29 deaths in 2010
