Riverside Police completed a year-long traffic safety enforcement grant program that ran from Oct. 1, 2011 to September 30, 2012.

A traffic grant in the amount of $24,292.92 was awarded from the Illinois Department of Transportation/ Division of Traffic Safety to reduce the overall number of fatal and injury causing traffic crashes through high visibility traffic enforcement both day and night with special emphasis on speeding, seatbelt and impaired driver violations.

Six enforcement campaigns were held during major holiday periods beginning with a week-long public education media blitz and concluding with high impact national media mobilizations.

A total of 1,100 tickets were written during these periods that included 107 seatbelt, 306 speeding and 36 impaired driver violations. Various other violations were cited for suspended/revoked driver's license, equipment and traffic signals. Our seatbelt usage rate rose to just over 94%, which is comparable to the state usage rate.

The Nation's rate of fatalities due to motor vehicle crashes has declined steadily and is now the safest on record. However, crashes continue to kill tens of thousands of Americans and injure millions more every year. Yet, these motor vehicle crashes and their related deaths and injuries are preventable.

Sergeant Frank Lara said, "We all have a role to play in making our roadways safer. By making safe choices, educating those we love about traffic safety and making smart decisions behind the wheel, we can change behaviors, prevent crashes and save lives."

We will continue these impaired driving, speed and safety-belt enforcement crackdowns through the coming year and strive to make our roadways safer.