TRAFFIC FATALITIES: DEATHS ARE DOWN IN MISSOURI, ILLINOIS

The number of vehicle accident fatalities declined at nearly all levels last year in Missouri and Illinois, show preliminary figures released by the Missouri Highway Patrol and the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The Missouri figures do not include traffic deaths that occurred within municipalities.

In Southeast Missouri, Cape Girardeau County had the fewest number of vehicle accident deaths of the 13 counties in that region.

New Madrid and Butler counties led with the greatest number of traffic fatalities in 1991.

The number of traffic deaths in the city of Cape Girardeau increased by one last year.

In Southern Illinois, Williamson and Franklin counties led all other counties with the total number of traffic deaths last year in the 14-county area of Illinois State Police Districts 13 at DuQuoin and 22 at Ullin.

According to the figures, Illinois' traffic fatality rate dropped to its lowest level in history. The number of traffic deaths in the state last year fell 7.9 percent, from 1,568 in 1990, to 1,444 in 1991, a decrease of 124 fatalities.

The traffic fatality rate in Illinois in 1991 dropped from 1.9 to slightly more than 1.7 deaths per 100 million vehicle miles of travel, according to IDOT statistics.

In Missouri, the 1991 traffic fatality rate dropped from 2.19 to 1.9 per million vehicle miles of travel.

Commenting on the decrease in the fatality rate last year, Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar said, "This is a clear indication that our crackdown on drunk driving and our push to increase the use of safety belts and child safety seats are working.

"This progress does not mean we can relax our efforts to reduce the number of deaths on the state's highways and local streets. We must continue to enforce the laws and work to reduce the number of fatalities each year," said Edgar.

Edgar said the lower fatality rate was achieved while travel in the state increased from 1990 by 1 percent, to more than 84 billion miles of travel. Increased travel usually results in more exposure of motorists to crashes, injuries and fatalities.

According to data for the first nine months of 1991, the number of fatalities in Illinois resulting from crashes in which alcohol was a factor decreased approximately 3 percent from the same period of 1990.

"We will continue our emphasis on enforcing DUI (driving under the influence) laws," the governor said, "in order to remove alcohol-impaired drivers from our highways. It is important that this message is carried to our schools so our children will learn at an early age that drinking and driving don't mix."

Edgar said continued enforcement of traffic laws, along with other safety initiatives and the continued improvements of state highways, have resulted in the savings of lives.

Edgar said other factors that affected the number of traffic deaths during 1991 include use of occupant restraints. Approximately 58 percent of the motorists observed in Illinois are now using safety belts and child safety seats, according to a January 1992 IDOT survey. This is believed to be a major factor in the reduction of motor vehicle occupant fatalities.

Edgar said the number of pedestrian fatalities decreased by nearly 17 percent last year, down to 219, from 263 in 1990. The number of railroad grade-crossing deaths decreased nearly 46 percent in 1991, from 46 in 1990, to 25 in 1991.

The number of motorcycle fatalities decreased last year by over 26 percent, with 112 deaths in 1991 compared to 152 in 1990.

In the combined Illinois State Police Districts 13 and 22, the number of traffic fatalities declined from 91 in 1990, to 85 in 1991.

In Missouri, the number of traffic fatalities statewide fell from 1,088 in 1990 to 1,013 in 1990, a reduction of 75 deaths. In 1989, 1,052 people were killed in highway accidents.

The greatest number of people killed on Missouri highways in a single year since 1952 was 1,467 in 1970. The least number killed was 908 in 1982.

In 1984, a child restraint law went on the books, and the following year the use of seat belts became mandatory. Enforcement of the law began on July 1, 1987.

In Southeast Missouri, the number of traffic deaths in Troop E last year fell from 95 in 1990, to 83 in 1991, a decrease of 12 fatalities.

New Madrid County led the 13-county Troop E area last year with 13 traffic fatalities. Stoddard County was second, with 12 fatalities. Wayne and Butler counties tied for third, with 10 fatalities, each. Dunklin County was fourth with seven vehicle deaths, and Iron County, fifth, with six fatalities.

Scott County reported five traffic deaths in 1991, three fewer than in 1990. Stoddard County's 1991 fatality figure was unchanged from 1990. Bollinger County had two fatalities last year, also unchanged from 1990.

In Cape Girardeau County, the number of traffic deaths in the out-county area fell from six in 1990 to two in 1991.

In the city of Cape Girardeau, the number of traffic deaths increased last year, from three in 1990 to four in 1991. The total number of vehicle accidents in the city fell from 1,904 in 1990 to 1,841 in 1991.