The IL Association of Chiefs of Police (ILACP), in partnership with AAA, is coordinating the first ever IL Distracted Driving Awareness Week beginning April 24th through April 28th.  In support of National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the IL Association of Chiefs of Police asked the IL Governor to support the declaration in an effort to bring attention to the dangers of consequences associated with driving distracted.  Governor Rauner issued the proclamation and both houses passed resolutions in approval.

The partnership between ILACP and AAA is supported by the Illinois State Police, SafetyServe.com, the National Safety Council, the Illinois Insurance Association, and almost 300 law enforcement/fire agencies and supporters from the private sector throughout Illinois.  These agencies will work together during this week to educate motorists on all aspects of distracted driving.  This campaign will also include the enforcement of applicable State distracted driving laws.  According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration 3,477 people were killed and an estimated 391,000 injured in motor vehicle crashes involving distracted drivers in 2015.  That is a 9% increase in fatalities as compared to 2014. 

During this week-long campaign the Will County Sheriff's Office traffic and patrol divisions will be increasing their enforcement on distracted drivers.  Sheriff Mike Kelley stated, "I am pleased to see that we are working together at the state level to bring this issue to the forefront.  It is an increasing problem on our roadways and hopefully this campaign brings awareness to offenders.  No text message or phone call while driving is worth the risk of endangering your own life, or the life of others.  In an instant, your life can be negatively changed forever."

SafetyServe.com is offering a short Distracted Driving Online Course, at no cost, during Illinois Distracted Driving Awareness Week to those who visit the ILACP Traffic Safety Website:  www.iddaw.org.

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