Letter to the Editor

Highway safety push made in Illinois

To the editor:The Illinois State Police and Illinois Department of Transportation have announced a new enforcement initiative aimed at increasing safety and reducing fatalities during the Labor Day weekend. The "Stay Alive on the I's" enforcement initiative began Friday when all Illinois interstates were saturated with troopers every 10 miles along interstate corridors. The "Stay Alive on the I's" enforcement initiative concludes Monday with a detail from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m.

Over the 2006 Labor Day Weekend there were 271 crashes on Illinois interstates handled by the Illinois State Police, which resulted in two fatalities. As the District 22 commander, I am proud to say that here in District 22 (which covers the seven southernmost counties of Illinois) there were zero fatalities during the 2006 Labor Day period. Our goals are to have the same effect as last year. I urge you to stay alert. Watch out for motorcycles, as the number of crashes involving motorcycles has increased dramatically. Move over for stationary emergency vehicles. Watch your alcohol intake. Slow down. And buckle up. Let's celebrate the end of summer fatality-free.

"Alive on the I's" is in conjunction with the Labor Day Combined Accident Reduction Effort and IDOT's "You Drink And Drive. You Lose" campaign.

Capt. HARRY MASSE, District 22 Commander, Illinois State Police, Ullin, Ill.