PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION
Chicago, the third largest city in the United States, is the hub of the transportation network in the Midwest. The city's diverse population of 3 million residents challenges traffic planners in their search for strategies to address traffic safety issues. The challenge is intensified by an estimated 26 million visitors to the Chicago area each year. The immensity of the traffic problems arising from a traffic hub such as Chicago is reflected in the fact that, in 1995, 171,751 motor vehicle crashes were reported. Traffic crashes resulting in fatalities numbered 227; 27,372 were injured in those crashes. Driving Under the Influence (DUI) of alcohol citations for 1995 numbered 6,558.

GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
The goal of the Chicago Traffic Safety Task Force and Projects effort was the reduction of traffic-related injuries and fatalities through implementation of the following objectives:

• Formation of a Chicago Traffic Safety Task Force
• Development of a comprehensive strategy of prevention programs

STRATEGIES AND ACTIVITIES
The Chicago Traffic Safety Task Force was formed in 1990 with a mandate to coordinate the development and implementation of traffic safety programs in Chicago, as well as in Cook County. Members of the Task Force were recruited from public and private agencies having traffic safety interests and responsibilities, such as the Chicago Police Department and the Illinois Department of Transportation. The Task Force meets quarterly to provide reports and updates, to discuss strategies and trends in traffic safety efforts and to develop future strategies and activities.

The Task Force has developed a series of prevention efforts designed to meet the goal of the program to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities in Chicago and Cook County:

• The Chicago Police Department conducts traffic enforcement, roadside safety checks, identifies motor vehicle crash locations, and presents traffic safety information on occupant protection and impaired driving to culturally diverse community groups
• The Illinois Department of Transportation, Division of Traffic Safety, funded the Chicago Police Department's purchase of a Breath Alcohol Testing (BAT) mobile unit in order to process immediately those motorists detained for impaired driving
• The Task Force sponsors an exhibit on Automotive Traffic Safety at the Museum of Science and Industry. The exhibit provides a unique experience whereby the visiting public can learn about the scientific and technological aspects of the interactions among the roadway, the driver, and the vehicle
• The Task Force coordinates the distribution of child safety seats by the Cook County Department of Public Health, the Cook County Children's Hospital, the University of Illinois at Chicago and Centro San Bonafacio
• The Task Force participates in a project developed by the University of Illinois at Chicago which promotes traffic safety awareness in the Hispanic/Latino communities
• Under guidance by the Task Force, public service announcements have been developed and used to educate the public about occupant restraints, bicycle/pedestrian safety, and to promote Safe Communities projects

RESULTS Statistics indicate that the Chicago Traffic Safety Task Force and Projects program has been successful. For example: According to 1996 national statistics, Chicago was the only large U.S. city reporting a reduction in crash fatalities Crash-related fatalities statewide were reported down by 9.8 percent from 1994 to 1996 From 1986 to 1996, Chicago reported a decline of 11.7 percent in crash-related fatalities

FUNDING   Section 402: $1,092,974 CONTACT     John Moulton Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety 3125 Executive Park Drive Springfield, IL 62794-9245 (217) 785-3038