HR0629 LRB094 14222 CSA 49130 r

1
HOUSE RESOLUTION

 
2     WHEREAS, Traffic fatalities needlessly claimed the lives
3 of more than 42,636 people, almost all of whom are someone's
4 friend, family, and most beloved in 2004; and
 
5     WHEREAS, Traffic crashes have claimed 421,779 lives in the
6 last ten years, January 1, 1995 through December 31, 2004; and
 
7     WHEREAS, Fifty-six percent of passenger vehicle occupants
8 killed in traffic crashes are not wearing safety belts; and
 
9     WHEREAS, Roadside hazards, substandard road conditions,
10 and obsolete roadway designs contribute to more than 15,000
11 highway deaths annually, which represents more than 35 percent
12 of all fatal crashes; and
 
13     WHEREAS, An estimated 1,925,000 people are injured in
14 traffic crashes in the United States each year; and
 
15     WHEREAS, There are more than 6,000,000 nonfatal traffic
16 crashes in the United States each year; and
 
17     WHEREAS, Deaths and injuries on highways in the United
18 States cost more than $230,000,000,000 annually; and
 
19     WHEREAS, In 2004, 4,641 pedestrians and 725 bicyclists were
20 killed in traffic-related crashes; and
 
21     WHEREAS, Roadway safety improvements can reduce the number
22 and severity of crashes; and
 
23     WHEREAS, Continued development of safer vehicles and
24 protective equipment can reduce traffic-related fatalities and
25 injuries; and
 

 

 

HR0629 - 2 - LRB094 14222 CSA 49130 r

1     WHEREAS, Cooperation between federal, State, and local
2 governments, private entities, and associations is essential
3 to increasing highway safety; and
 
4     WHEREAS, Congress overwhelmingly approved H.R. 3, "Safe,
5 Accountable, Flexible, Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A
6 Legacy for Users", legislation reauthorizing highway, transit,
7 and safety programs; and
 
8     WHEREAS, Safe driving behaviors such as:
9     Before you put yourself behind the wheel:
10         1.    Ensuring your vehicle is safe, e.g., clean and
11     properly maintained,
12         2.    Allowing yourself enough time to arrive safely,
13         3.    Being physically sound and mentally sharp,
14     Before you start the ignition:
15         4.    Always buckling your safety belt,
16         5.    Maintaining clear sight picture,
17     While driving:
18         6.    Paying complete attention to driving,
19         7.    Following signals, signs, and striping,
20         8.    Maintaining safe speed for conditions and safe
21     following distance,
22         9.    Being a courteous and conscientious driver,
23         10.    Being a defensive driver can reduce
24     traffic-related fatalities and injuries; and
 
25     WHEREAS, The establishment of a Put the Brakes on
26 Fatalities Day would encourage safer drivers, safer vehicles,
27 and safer roads; therefore, be it
 
28     RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
29 NINETY-FOURTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
30 we recognize October 10, 2005 as Put the Brakes on Fatalities
31 Day in Illinois; and be it further
 

 

 

HR0629 - 3 - LRB094 14222 CSA 49130 r

1     RESOLVED, That we urge the people of Illinois and
2 interested groups to observe the day by practicing and
3 promoting safe driving behaviors and with appropriate programs
4 and activities.