Illinois State Police Say Fatalities Are Up in District 20

A spike in regional traffic fatalities have local police concerned.

There have been 17 deaths since the beginning of the year on roadways in the five county region that make up the Illinois State Police District 20.  That is a 50 percent increase over nine deaths recorded through the same time frame last year. Two areas in particular have continued to see marked increases in traffic deaths:crashes on municipal streets and motorcycle accidents.

State troopers and local police agencies will soon begin grant-funded overtime patrols around the holidays concentrating on the "fatal four"-seat belt use, impaired driving, speeding and distracted driving. These patrols will start in November and continue throughout the holiday season.