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Police chief cites 2024 crash data, urges safe driving ahead of state Speed Awareness Day
Summary
Zion's police chief, also president of the Illinois Chiefs of Police Association, presented 2024 crash statistics, noted speed-related crashes accounted for about 31% of incidents and said the governor proclaimed July 22, 2026 Illinois Speed Awareness Day.
Chief Barton updated the council July 21 on traffic-safety work and relayed 2024 statewide crash statistics during a departmental report. He said the state recorded 303,913 motor-vehicle crashes in 2024, with 89,023 injuries and 1,178 fatalities; speed-related crashes constituted about 31.1 percent of those crashes and speed-related injuries 35.2 percent.
Chief Barton said he participated in a press conference at the Civilian Law Enforcement Academy and read a proclamation from Gov. J.B. Pritzker declaring July 22, 2026 as Illinois Speed Awareness Day. "Be careful. You don't serve any value to any of us or to your family if you don't make it there," he told the council, urging drivers to slow down and travel safely.
The chief framed the statistics as the most recent verified statewide data (IDOT typically lags) and recommended residents heed speed-awareness messaging aimed at reducing crashes, injuries and fatalities.
