SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois State Police spent March buckling down on unsafe drivers along I-57.聽
ISP teamed with local officers throughout the month of March to increase presence along the interstate in an effort to lower traffic crashes after a string of fatal wrecks in the months prior. Police focused on the 257-mile stretch of road from mile marker zero in Alexander County to Champaign County.聽
Police hoped to catch drivers violating Illinois driving laws, specifically speeding. Police say speeding is the leading cause in roughly one-third of fatal crashes.聽 Troopers were further instructed to make sure trucks live up to codes as most semi-crashes happen on interstate roads.聽
Police believe March's efforts helped decrease the number of deaths caused by crashes. Below are numbers presented by ISP regarding March's traffic stops:
- Speeding Citations Issued --聽1,801聽
- Speeding Warnings Issued -- 2,521
- Motor Carrier Safety Inspections --聽1,385
- Move Over "Scott's Law" Citations Issued -- 52
- Firearms Seized -- 6
- DUI Arrests -- 7
- Suspended/Revoked/No Driver's License Citations -- 187
ISP Troops 7, 9 and 10 were involved with the efforts. ISP Central and the South Special Operations Group's Fatal Four Unit and Highway Interdiction Team aided in the efforts.聽