The Bartlett Police Department is working alongside the Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety and other local law enforcement agencies on Operation Save 100 — a program that could save 100 lives and $100 million for the state.
The goal of the project is to have at least 100 less fatalities on Illinois roads this year as compared to last year. According to the National Safety Council, the average cost per motor vehicle fatality is more than $1 million, which means this project has the potential of saving the state $100 million or more.
If Illinois has less than 1,000 fatalities on its roadways this year, it will set a historic record by experiencing the fewest motor vehicle fatalities in one year since 1921.
“We decided to participate in Operation Save 100 because it is a very exciting time in Illinois history,” Bartlett Traffic Unit Supervisor Sgt. Charles Snider said.
The Bartlett Police Department was one of 400 law enforcement agencies asked to participate by IDOT.
Highway fatalities in Illinois have plummeted from a high of 1,454 in 2003 to lows not seen since 1923.
Illinois State Police Master Sgt. Isaiah Vega said Save 100 is one initiative of many in law enforcement’s constant effort to reduce fatalities.
“It’s part of our mission in spreading public safety and the quality of life,” Vega said. “We do what we can to educate the public on seat belts and driving impaired. We implement programs throughout the year such as ‘Click It or Ticket’ and holiday patrols.”
If Illinois reached its goal, it will join a small group of states that have experienced less than 1,000 highway fatalities.
The Bartlett Police Department is committed to preventing death and injury by stopping impaired, distracted and aggressive driving, and ensuring motorists wear seat belts.
“We will be having additional DUI enforcement nights, and we have asked all the overnight officers to enforce seat belt infractions,” Snider said.
Operation Save 100 officially began Nov. 12 and will run through the end of 2009.
In hopes of apprehending impaired drivers, Bartlett police said they will be increasing enforcement on main roadways such as Illinois Route 59 and U.S. Route 20, especially during the weeks surrounding the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Eve holidays.
