City of Batavia issued the following announcement on July 20.
A new campaign sponsored by the City of Batavia, Batavia Police Department, and Batavia Public School District 101 is reminding motorists to slow down in town to ensure the safety of pedestrians and to ensure that children will arrive at school safely before the start of the new school year on August 15.
“The safety of all pedestrians, but particularly children, must be a top priority in this city. We’re trying to give it more attention with as many practical measures as possible,” said Police Chief Dan Eul.
The Batavia Police Department has been focusing on speed enforcement in areas where data has shown it is most needed. On July 25, 2018, the department participated in Illinois Speed Awareness day. This fall, parents will notice a continued increase in traffic law enforcement around school zones.
During the Slow Down Batavia campaign, which will run from August 15 to Sept 1, residents are encouraged to take action in their neighborhoods by posting “Slow Down Batavia” signs in their yards. The free yard signs will be available starting on August 1 at Batavia City Hall, the Batavia Police Department, the Rosalie Jones Administration Center and the Batavia Public Library, all in downtown Batavia. Questions on this campaign can be directed to Batavia City Hall at 630.454.2000.
Residents are also encouraged to use the hashtag #SlowDownBatavia on their social media channels in support of the campaign.
Why the Slow Down Campaign is Important
According to a 2016 Traffic Safety Facts report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, pedestrian fatalities in 2016 increased by 492, a nine percent increase. The 2016 pedestrian fatality count (5,987) is the highest number since 1990.
On average, a pedestrian was killed nearly every 1.5 hours in traffic crashes in 2016.
In 2016, pedestrian deaths accounted for 16 percent of all traffic fatalities. One-fifth (20%) of children 14 and younger killed in traffic crashes were pedestrians.
Teen drivers in particular need to learn to slow down. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) in 2015, 2,333 teens in the United States ages 16–19 were killed and 235,845 were treated in emergency departments for injuries suffered in motor vehicle crashes.1 That means that six teens ages 16–19 died every day from motor vehicle injuries. Speeding contributed to more than 9,500 crash deaths.
The faster vehicles travel, the more likely crashes are to occur and the more severe injuries will be.
“While safety and law-enforcement spotlights often shine on drunken driving, about the same number of fatal crashes each year—about 10,000—involve speeding,” according to the National Transportation Safety Board.
For more information about Slow Down Batavia, visit CityofBatavia.net.
Original source can be found here.
Source: City of Batavia
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