W. Chicago police receive traffic safety grant

West Chicago, Illinois: October 25, 2011 - Illinois has experienced significant reductions in motor vehicle crash fatalities in recent years.

While this is great news, there is much work left to be done to make Illinois' roads as safe as they can be. In the Division of Traffic Safety's (DTS) ongoing effort to do just that, the Sustained Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP) will help Illinois maximize the effect of sustained, stepped-up, year-long traffic enforcement.

The West Chicago Police Department announced today they will be joining hundreds of other law enforcement and highway safety agencies across Illinois in the STEP Grant program. It has received a grant from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the sum of $34,600.

This grant provides sworn police officers funding for additional hours dedicated to traffic enforcement for child restraint, seatbelt, speeding, and alcohol related violations.

The Traffic Grant period started Oct. 1, 2011 and will conclude on Sept. 30, 2012. During this time period there will be different enforcement campaigns which are aimed to help educate the drivers who violate Illinois traffic laws.

The goal of the program is to reduce the amount of fatal crashes and impaired driving and to persuade everyone to use their seatbelt.