Hi everyone!
Update regarding our initiative to examine our speed limit and road safety here in Glen Ellyn!
The consultant hired by the village has completed their collection and analyzation of the roadway data and will be presenting preliminary recommendations to the Capital Improvements Commission meeting in early September. From there, the plan is to present/discuss the data to the Board at a Board Workshop meeting (to be scheduled). The goal is to have an approved approach before the end of the year.
I am so excited they have a set timeline on this!! We have a contact in the Engineering department who has been able to share some positive and supportive information with us as well.
In addition to these incredible next steps our village leaders are taking, we, as residents, can continue to make a difference every day. School has started (or is starting next week for some) and more children and families are out walking daily. It is our responsibility to continue safe driving practices and encourage our neighbors and teens to do the same! Stay aware of pedestrians, stop fully at stop signs behind the crosswalks, stop looking at your phone, and of course, drive 25!
Additional supporting info:
- 94% of traffic deaths are the result of specific behaviors - speeding, not buckling up, distracted driving - including cell phone use, drinking and driving, stop-light/stop-sign running, and more (Federal Highway Administration).
- The death rate on residential streets is over twice that of highways - measured per miles driven (NHTSA).
- 500 children under 14 years-old are killed each year while walking in what should be their safe haven—their neighborhood (NHTSA).
- Each year over 4,000 sons, daughters, mothers, and fathers are killed while walking in neighborhoods or crossing streets (NHTSA).
- Speeding triples the Odds of Crashing (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety).
- A pedestrian hit in a 30 mph speed zone is 3 times more likely to die than one hit in a 25 mph zone (General Estimates Database of Police Reported Accidents (NHTSA).
Driving through our neighboring communities this summer, I've seen as increasing number of "keep kids alive, drive 25" signs. This would be great to bring to our community as well! https://www.keepkidsalivedrive25.org
More updates to come! :)