Troopers step up traffic enforcement

Captain Jeff Hedrich, District 2 Commander, recently announced that officers will conduct sTEP (special Traffic Enforcement Patrols) from May 1-31 in McHenry, Kane, Dupage, DeKalb, and Lake counties.

Troopers will concentrate on speeding, failure to use occupant restraints, and other driving offenses as part of their enforcement efforts. Special Traffic Enforcement Patrols involve a combination of increased enforcement and public information designed to raise public awareness and compliance to all traffic laws. In 2005, speeding was a contributing factor in 30 percent of all fatal crashes nationwide. In Illinois, speed-related crashes accounted for 39 percent of all traffic fatalities.

Safety Belt Enforcement Zones may also be used during the sTEP program. Troopers will enforce the primary safety belt law to ensure drivers and their passengers are buckled up. Every hour someone dies in America simply because they are not wearing their safety belt. Statistics show that half of all people killed in traffic crashes are not properly buckled up. You can save your life by driving safely and simply buckling up.

As part of the "Click It or Ticket" campaign, sTEP is funded through a grant from the United States Department of Transportation, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The grant is administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety.