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92_HR0927
LRB9216917RHrh
1 HOUSE RESOLUTION
2 WHEREAS, Motor vehicle travel is the primary means of
3 transportation in the United States, providing an
4 unprecedented degree of mobility; yet for all its advantages,
5 deaths and injuries resulting from motor vehicle crashes are
6 the leading cause of death for persons of every age from 4 to
7 33 (based on 1998 data); and
8 WHEREAS, In 2000, nationally, 41,821 people were killed
9 in the estimated 6,394,000 police-reported motor vehicle
10 crashes, 3,189,000 people were injured; and
11 WHEREAS, 1,396 people lost their lives in traffic crashes
12 on Illinois roadways in 2001; and
13 WHEREAS, A 10 percent seat belt use gain will save
14 approximately 84 additional lives, prevent an additional
15 2,620 injuries, and save another $201 million; and
16 WHEREAS, The Illinois safety belt usage rate of 71.4%
17 remains below the national average and IDOT has set a goal of
18 78% for 2003; and
19 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is furthermore
20 committed to enhancing the quality of life and safety of the
21 millions of people who live, work and play in the State of
22 Illinois; and
23 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives acknowledges the
24 fact that wearing safety belts and using child safety seats
25 is the easiest and most effective means of reducing
26 fatalities and serious injuries when crashes occur; one of
27 the best defenses against drunk or drugged drivers is the use
28 of safety belts combined with air bags; and
29 WHEREAS, It is the responsibility of the State of
30 Illinois to inform its citizens of issues which would enhance
-2- LRB9216917RHrh
1 their safety and the safety of their children; and
2 WHEREAS, Encouraging motorists to buckle up is the single
3 most effective measure that the State of Illinois can do to
4 save lives and injuries and prevent needless injuries in our
5 communities; and
6 WHEREAS, Aggressive and highly visible enforcement of
7 safety belt laws coupled with strong public education and
8 awareness has proven to be effective in raising safety belt
9 compliance and ultimately saving lives; and
10 WHEREAS, The House of Representatives is committed to
11 improving the effectiveness of law enforcement throughout the
12 State; therefore, be it
13 RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE
14 NINETY-SECOND GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that
15 we support the region-wide "Click It or Ticket" Memorial Day
16 enforcement wave from May 20 to June 2, 2002, and encourage
17 all Illinois law enforcement agencies to adopt an aggressive
18 stance making safety belt and child safety seat enforcement
19 and awareness a priority.