Springfield – The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP) recently awarded 1st place honors to the Illinois State Police (ISP) for their overall traffic safety program in the National Law Enforcement Challenge (NLEC). ISP received the 1st place award in the category of State Police Highway Patrol for the first time. The Agency has been recognized in this category on numerous occasions. Illinois has experienced fewer than 1,000 traffic fatalities annually since 2009, a record low since 1921, with safety belt usage increasing to 92.6 percent. The steady decreases are attributed to the Agency’s overall traffic safety awareness and enforcement program. ISP’s Division of Operations continually strives to develop innovative strategies to reduce traffic fatalities through targeted patrols, a strong public information campaign and community involvement. Safety Education of young drivers is a priority for the Agency which is evidence by the reduction in numbers of teen fatalities. ISP officials submitted an Agency playbook that incorporates its most fundamental approaches in reducing traffic fatalities - speeding; DUI; seat belts; and distracted driving. “Our traffic enforcement priorities are met with the dedication of our Troopers, transportation agency partners, and regular public awareness campaigns,” said ISP Director Hiram Grau. “Our messages have resonated with the motoring public, and motorists are saving lives by embracing the rules of the road.” The Law Enforcement Challenge is a traffic safety competition which recognizes the best overall traffic safety programs in the United States which place an emphasis on three major traffic safety areas of concentration -- occupant protection, impaired driving, and speeding. Supported by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, IACP, and National Sheriff’s Association, the challenge provides agencies with an opportunity to make a significant difference in the communities they serve through traffic safety activities, ultimately reducing injuries, saving lives, and detecting and deterring crime. Illinois State Police are responsible for the public safety of the citizens of Illinois and patrol more than 20,000 miles of the state’s highways. | 
