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IDOT: Intersection of Ill. 13, Carbon St. to be restricted for road work

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer
Monday, January 23rd, 2012, 1:00pm
IDOT: Intersection of Ill. 13, Carbon St. to be restricted for road work

MARION, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Transportation says there will be lane closures and restrictions at the intersection of Illinois 13 and Carbon Street on the west edge of Marion.

Work began at midnight on Sunday, Jan. 22 and will continue through midnight on Wednesday, Jan. 25, weather permitting. According to IDOT, the intersection will have intermittent lane closures and restrictions to allow the highway contractors to make intersection improvements.

Drivers are asked to reduce speed and use extreme caution when driving in the area. IDOT says emergency vehicles will be allowed through the intersection as quickly as possible. To avoid any delays, drivers should consider an alternate route.

Copyright 2012 KFVS. All rights reserved.

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Road safety check campaign

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer
Friday, December 16th, 2011, 1:53pm
Road safety check campaign

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - Williamson County Sheriff Bennie Vick announced recently there will be an upcoming Road Safety Check campaign.

He says several roadside safety checks will be scheduled during both daytime and nighttime hours in order to encourage safe driving through the Christmas and New Year's Day holidays.

According to the sheriff, the checks will be in different locations within Williamson County, for the purposes of detecting and removing impaired drivers from the road. He says drivers who are under the influence of alcohol or other drugs will be arrested. Deputies will also focus on seat belt usage and uninsured drivers.

Vick says several DUI Saturation Patrols will also be scheduled throughout this time period.

Funding from the Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Traffic Safety makes these roadside safety checks and saturation patrols possible.

Copyright 2011 KFVS. All rights reserved.

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Herrin High School students learn about distracted driving

Submitted by Christy Hendricks
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011, 7:22pm
Herrin High School students learn about distracted driving

HERRIN, IL (KFVS) - Some Herrin High School students got real life lessons in the pains of distracted driving Tuesday.

Students heard firsthand how distracted driving can lead to wrecks.

Students also paused for a moment of silence to remember a fellow classmate who recently died in a crash.

One student organizer says the event honored the freshman as it taught students about the importance of all passengers wearing seatbelts.

"I hope it inspires people to buckle up, to stay safe, to stay away from driving distractions and to pay attention and concentrate on what they're doing  while they're driving," said Kaite Butler with Operation Teen Safe Driving.  "You can lose a friend, you can lose a family member, you can lose your life and there's no other thing more precious than life. You have to keep it safe."

Beginning January 1 in Illinois, all passengers in a vehicle must wear a seatbelt.

 

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IDOT, law enforcement partner to boost safety, crack down on traffic violations

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer
Monday, November 21st, 2011, 12:43pm
IDOT, law enforcement partner to boost safety, crack down on traffic violations

WILLIAMSON COUNTY, IL (KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies are partnering to kick off "Click It or Ticket" and "Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over" in time for the Thanksgiving weekend.

IDOT says drivers could see over 1,700 safety belt enforcement zones and 40 roadside safety checks conducted by over 200 law enforcement agencies.

“Traffic safety is a central and inseparable focus of IDOT’s strategic mission- to provide safe, cost-effective transportation for Illinois in ways that enhance quality of life, promote economic prosperity, and demonstrate respect for our environment,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. “During Thanksgiving weekend, IDOT and law enforcement agencies throughout the state will strongly promote safe driving by reminding motorists to buckle up and drive sober, every trip, every time.”

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ISP offers tips for drivers during the winter months

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer
Friday, November 11th, 2011, 12:11pm
ISP offers tips for drivers during the winter months

(KFVS) - The Illinois State Police are warning driver to take the necessary precautions before getting behind the wheel.

ISP says car safety is equally important to driving safety while on the roads. Extreme weather can have a devastating impact on driving conditions, especially when ice and snow are involved.

“Although our area of the state experiences less snowfall than the northern region, we do have our share of ice storms,” said Lieutenant Steve Shields, District 22 Interim Commander.  “People need to remember that, regardless of the type of vehicle they drive, nothing handles well on ice.  Please don’t have a false sense of security and decide to travel during an ice storm.  Doing so puts many lives at risk.”

ISP offers the following safety tips for drivers to keep in mind during the winter months:

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IDOT: Crashes with deer continue to decline

Submitted by Amber Ruch, KFVS12 County News Web Producer
Tuesday, October 25th, 2011, 3:18pm
IDOT: Crashes with deer continue to decline

(KFVS) - The Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources announced Tuesday deer vs. car collisions declined in 2010 and remind drivers to be alert for deer along the roads during one of the most active times of the year.

IDOT says the number of car-deer crashes dropped to 17,135 in 2010, a decrease from 18,849 in 2009 and the lowest total since 1999. According to the latest IDOT statistics released Tuesday, 77 percent of crashes happened on rural roads and 67 percent during periods of darkness.

“Deer crashes can be especially difficult to avoid," said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider. "The best measures to avoid accidents and injuries are to  slow down, wear a safety belt and remain alert this fall driving through areas where deer are likely to be seen. The encouraging news is that collisions with deer in Illinois continue to decline.

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Ribbon cutting held for new Morgan Ave. ramp in Marion

Submitted by Christy Hendricks
Tuesday, October 18th, 2011, 6:18pm
Ribbon cutting held for new Morgan Ave. ramp in Marion

MARION, IL (KFVS) - A new ramp to Interstate 57 in Marion should help alleviate some of the congestion on Illinois 13.

Officials cut the ribbon Tuesday on the Morgan Avenue entrance ramp.

It's in the area near the Illinois Center Mall and Rent One Park.  The project has been in the works since 2003.

A spokesperson for the Illinois Department of Transportation says early next year, IDOT hopes to begin a $45 million project to reconstruct the I-57 cloverleaf interchange, widening I-57 to three lanes in both directions and building two more ramps to the Morgan Avenue interchange.

It would also widen Illinois 13 to three lanes between Carbon Street and Halfway Road.

Copyright 2011 KFVS. All rights reserved.

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