Released: October 20, 2011

Contact: Ethan Spotts
Mobile 312.919.1423
Office 312.427.3325 x 287
ethan@activetrans.org

Active Transportation Alliance supports automated speed enforcement bill
Speed enforcement cameras will help make Chicago’s roads safer for everyone

The City of Chicago introduced a bill in Springfield that would allow the city to use cameras to enforce speed limits in safety zones around schools and parks—areas with a great number of pedestrians.

Active Transportation Alliance sees this initiative as a way to make our streets safer, particularly for vulnerable road users like pedestrians.

“We support increased efforts to ensure the safety of vulnerable road users through greater enforcement of the rules of the road,” said Ron Burke, executive director of the Active Transportation Alliance. “Bicyclists and pedestrians in particular are most vulnerable to traffic crashes since they do not have the protection of an air bag, seat belt or steel frame.”

The primary cause of pedestrian crashes is failure to yield—which is often the result of speeding. Reducing speeding will cut down on the number of crashes.

Since most pedestrian crashes in Chicago occur near a school or a park, Active Trans sees the initiative as well targeted.

At speeds above 30 mph, Burke said that pedestrians survive a crash only 55 percent of time. At 20 mph or less, the survival rate for pedestrians is 95 percent.

“Automated speed enforcement will slow down cars, which saves lives and makes our neighborhoods more walkable and bike-friendly,” said Burke.

Please get in touch with Ted Villaire at 312.427.3325 x288 if you would like to interview Active Transportation Alliance staffers on how speed enforcement cameras can make Chicago’s roads safer for everyone.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information about the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

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