Evanston Police Department's Traffic Bureau Receives National & State Awards for Traffic Safety and Enforcement Initiatives
As far back as 1933, a tradition was established when the National Safety Council awarded The Evanston Police Department the National Grand Prize for Traffic Safety. The Evanston Police Department has continued to foster safe streets by proactively educating the public and creatively enforcing traffic safety laws. Programs and initiatives such as child safety seat education, roadside safety checks, impaired driving enforcement, public safety announcements and Teen DUI presentations has established Evanston as a state leader in traffic safety and accident prevention.
These efforts were recently acknowledged when the Evanston Police Department was recognized for the sixth year in a row by the Illinois Chiefs of Police Association, through their Illinois Traffic Safety Challenge. The Evanston Police Department participated in the municipal police agency category which encompassed police department’s staffed between 101- 250 officers. The Evanston Police Department has been awarded a first place finish for their efforts.
Traffic Bureau Award
2010 Traffic Safety Challenge Award Winning Submission
With the award of a first place finish in the state safety challenge, the Evanston Police Department was entered into the National Law Enforcement Challenge, which is sponsored by the International Association of Chiefs of Police. The Evanston Police Department was entered into the Municipal 101-200 Sworn Officers category, along with 37 other applicants. The Evanston Police Department was again awarded a first place finish for their efforts. This award will be officially presented in October of 2011.
In order to achieve these honors, the Evanston Police Department submitted a traffic enforcement plan, outlining various traffic safety interventions and enforcement initiatives. These traffic safety programs specifically targeted four areas: speed violations, impaired driving enforcement, distracted driving and vehicle occupant restraint education and enforcement.
The Evanston Police Department will continue to foster its commitment to safer streets, ranking pedestrian and traffic safety as a high priority within the departments overall objectives.
In the recent past, 7th Ward Ald. Jane Grover has championed a City of Evanston Ordinance outlawing the usage of handheld communication devices while driving, had this to say.
“Congratulations to the members of our Traffic Unit for winning state and national recognition for their efforts to curb distracted driving in Evanston. Distracted driving -- a preventable risk -- accounts for about 80% of all motor vehicle crashes. Evanston's streets are safer thanks to our Traffic Unit's award-winning deployment of both educational and enforcement strategies to reduce distracted driving," said Alderman Grover.
Also commenting on the Police Departments success was Mayor Elizabeth Tisdahl, who stated, "Congratulations to the Evanston Police Department on a well deserved award. Our streets are safer because of their much appreciated work.”