Downers Grove Police Department Recognized as Traffic Leader

The Downers Grove Police Department has been recognized as a traffic safety leader among all Illinois municipalities. 

Downers Grove Police Chief Robert Porter announced Thursday that the department received recognition in the 2012 Illinois Traffic Challenge as the top agency in the state for municipal agencies with 66 to 100 sworn officers for their overall approach to traffic safety.

In addition, the department received the 2012 Pedestrian and Bike Safety award, which recognizes law enforcement agencies for their efforts in bicycle and pedestrian education.

"Traffic safety is one of the highest priorities for the Downers Grove Police Department," the village of Downers Grove said in a statement. "Police personnel work year-round to educate our citizens, beginning with preschool students, on the importance of being safe in a vehicle, on a bike and as a pedestrian. Aggressive and consistent traffic enforcement, coupled with educational efforts, offer the greatest chance of reducing the incidents of traffic crashes, injuries and fatalities."

The village offered the following statistics support the department's traffic safety efforts:

• More people are buckling up in Downers Grove. The village's seat belt compliance rate increased by 5.3 percent. 
• Currently, 98.8 percent of people traveling on Downers Grove roads are choosing to buckle up. This compliance rate is better than the state's compliance rate of 93.6 percent. 
• There were no traffic related deaths in Downers Grove in 2012.