MACOMB, ILL. -- Illinois State Police (ISP) District 14 Commander, Captain  Robert L. Elliott announced a summary of October 2010 enforcement activity.

During the month of October, ISP District 14 Troopers handled 1093 incidents.  These incidents included 148 requests for service: 87 reported by telephone, 54 from other public safety agencies, six walk-in requests for service, and one request for service from other sources.  The remaining 945 incidents were initiated in the field by Troopers on patrol.

During 2010, in ISP District 14 there have been 12 fatal crashes, resulting in 14 fatalities.  Of these fatalities 78 percent of the victims were not wearing a seat belt, during crashes where seat belt use was known or required.  In these crashes, 71 percent of those unrestrained victims were ejected from the vehicle.  Of these 12 fatal crashes 33 percent were related to excessive speed, 33 percent were alcohol related, and 33 percent were related to improper lane usage.

ISP District 14 Troopers continue efforts to reduce fatal crashes by arresting drivers committing these serious Fatal Five traffic violations; Failure to Wear Seat Belt, Speeding, Driving Under the Influence, Improper Lane Usage, and Following Too Closely.

The following enforcement activity demonstrates that ISP District 14 Troopers are committed to the reduction of traffic crash fatalities.  During October, Troopers issued 184 citations and 306 warnings for speeding, made 27 arrests for DUI, 10 arrests for other alcohol related offenses, issued 123 safety belt citations, and 11 child passenger restraint citations.

All other violations of the Illinois Vehicle Code, observed by ISP District 14 Troopers, resulted in 492 citations and 1082 warnings being issued.  ISP District 14 Troopers also made 101 criminal arrests, investigated 35 traffic crashes, and assisted 73 motorists.  There was one traffic crash fatality reported in ISP District 14 for the month of October.

Second division vehicle safety (trucks) continues to remain a priority for Troopers. During October, 143 second division vehicles were inspected resulting in 13 citations being issued for overweight violations, and 43 vehicles being placed out of service.

In Illinois, driving while using a hand held cell phone in a school zone or a construction zone is a violation and the driver may be ticketed.  Driving on any roadway in Illinois while composing, reading, or sending text messages is also a violation and the driver may be ticketed.  The use of a cell phone while driving increases your chance of getting in a crash by 400%.  “Just put down the phone while you are driving and it will be easier to Focus on the Drive and Stay Alive,” said ISP District 14 Safety Education Officer, Trooper Ed Howard.