Springfield Safe Communities
An Effective Practice
Description
In 1998 the Illinois Department of Transportation chose the city of Springfield to provide statewide leadership in reducing alcohol-related crash fatalities, and increasing the seat belt use rate. The DOT worked with community members to educate residents about driving under the influence of alcohol and to help them start a pilot program where local taxi companies and liquor establishments offered an alternative to impaired driving. The program also included education around bicycle safety and iniatives encouraging child safety seat and seat belt use.
Goal / Mission
The goal of the Springfield Safe Communities project was to reduce the number of alcohol-related traffic crash fatalities, and to increase seat belt use throughout the city and surrounding areas.
Results / Accomplishments
The Springfield Safe Communities program provided safety information, bicycle helmets, and child safety seats to Springfield community residents, in addition to providing more than 500 taxicab rides to Springfield residents through Alert Cab in 1999 alone.
About this Promising Practice
Organization(s)
Illinois - Springfield Safe Communities
Primary Contact
John Moulton
(217) 782-5853
(217) 782-5853
Topics
Community / Transportation
Community / Public Safety
Community / Public Safety
Organization(s)
Illinois - Springfield Safe Communities
Source
U.S. Department of Transportation, Safe Communities
Date of implementation
2000
Geographic Type
Urban
Location
Springfield, IL
For more details
Target Audience
Children