City of Elmhurst

Traffic Safety and Services

The following contact form can be used to express your traffic related concerns.

The City of Elmhurst Police Department has initiated a program where concerned citizens can assist with the verification of a possible speed problem in their neighborhood. It will also provide a realistic view of traffic patterns on a given street in correlation to time and day of week. Before receiving the radar a resident will receive a short period of hands on operating instructions. A radar log will be provided to document road conditions and speeds. Although speeding tickets will not be issued, the registered owner of those vehicles exceeding the limit by a notable amount will be sent a warning letter.

If a speed problem is detected as a result of the resident's participation, a formal speed study will be conducted by the City's Engineering and Police Department followed by recommended actions. Anyone desiring to participate in the program should contact the Traffic Unit Supervisor by calling (630) 530-3050.

ELMHURST SURVEY SAYS, SPEEDING!

A recent residential survey revealed that a primary concern is speeding vehicles on our streets. In response to your concerns, the City of Elmhurst has begun a comprehensive traffic safety and awareness program. Increased traffic enforcement, public awareness, and education are the main components of the city campaign.

The goal of the traffic awareness program is to make drivers more conscious of their driving habits and more aware of the danger created for themselves, our children, and others when they choose to speed or drive recklessly.

Did You Know:

• Elmhurst recently passed an ordinance reducing the speed limit on all resident streets to 25 m.p.h.
• Research shows that motorists erroneously believe that speeding is not a great risk to safety or as serious as other traffic violations. Actually the severity of a crash drastically increases with the speed of the vehicle at impact.
• On average the Elmhurst Police Department handles a total of 2,500 traffic accidents per year.
• In the U.S., speed was a contributing factor in 31% of all crashes.
• Studies show that drivers who run stop signs and red lights are likely to be speed violators.
• A significant number of speeders in Elmhurst actually live in Elmhurst.

Speed Facts:

• The economic cost of speed-related crashes in the U.S. is estimated to be more than $29 Billion annually.
• The minimum cost of a speeding ticket is $75 (more that 98% of speeders are found guilty in court).
• On average 13,000 Americans are killed every year in speed related crashes.
• 30% of all fatal crashes involved speeding, and more than 66% of speed related crashes involved a single vehicle.

Speed & Youth:

• Motor vehicle crashes are the leading cause of death for young drivers.
• Of drivers under 21 involved in fatal crashes, 38% of the males and 24% of the females were speeding.
• Crashes and violations of young drivers are more likely to be related to speed.

Speed Kills:

Your driving habits have the single greatest effect in keeping our streets and families safe. Many feel a few miles an hour over the limit is an acceptable risk. Everyone has an excuse!

"I was late, I was just keeping up with traffic, I wasn't paying attention..."

Many believe the worst that can happen to them is receiving a ticket. Drivers that believe this are wrong. Speeding can kill or disable you or a loved one, especially our children. Please make a conscious effort to slow down and keep our neighborhoods and streets safe.

SPEEDING CONCERNS ALL OF US...
It's Our Town...Let's Slow Down!