Drunk Driving Victims Remembered by DUI Memorial Signs
by Dwayne T. Ervin
In order to remind motorists todrive safely, Cook County CircuitCourt Clerk Dorothy Brown supportedand Governor Rod R.Blagojevich signed Tinas Law,which authorizes the first DUImemorial sign to recognize thetragic loss of life due to drunkdriving.
Tinas Law, allows DUI crashvictims family members torequest IDOT install memorialsigns along Illinois Highways.The overall number of trafficfatalities in 2007 reached its lowestlevel since 1994. There was a -0.4 percent change in the numberof people killed in Illinois due tomotor vehicle crashes between2006 and 2007. Nationally therewere 13,491 fatalities related toalcohol in 2006 and 12,998 in2007, according to a NationalHighway Traffic SafetyAdministration report.
The first sign will be in memoryof a 17-year-old DUI crash victimCaitlin Elizabeth Weese of Elgin,who died in 2003. IDOT recentlyinstalled the sign along Illinois 72in the north suburbs of Chicago.The family knows that the DUIrelated deaths are tragic, but thesign will be a memorial to her andwill bring comfort to her family,Cook County Circuit Court Clerkspokesperson Deana Williamsonstated. This is a reminder on theroad telling people not to drinkand drive, she said. Tina Bellsfamily was involved in getting thelegislation passed, Williamsoncontinued. We had people puttingin requests for more road markers.
Alliance Against IntoxicatedMotorists (AAIM) played a part inhaving the sign put up. AAIMsgoal has been to create a programto install state signs where fatalitieshave occurred as a result of animpaired driver. The law allowsrelatives of DUI crash victims torequest a memorial marker for anycrash that occurred on or afterJanuary 1, 1990.
The memorial markers are a 26 x24 inch blue signs with white lettersthat read, Please Dont Drinkand Drive. At a relatives request,a separate 36 x 18 inch panelreads, In Memory of (victimsname) followed by the date of thecrash.
The law was named after TinaBell, a mother of seven and a roadconstruction worker who waskilled by a drunk driver while shewas working on I-57 onSeptember 15, 2003. The TinaBell Memorial DUI Task Forcewas instrumental in pushing forpassage of Tinas Law, formallyknown as House Bill 1900. Thebills sponsors were Sen. KirkDillard (R-Hinsdale) and Rep.Susana Mendoza (D-Chicago).
Family members of DUI crashvictims can apply for memorialsigns through IDOTs districtoffices. AAIM and MothersAgainst Drunk Driving (MADD)can assist family members inobtaining and completing applications.There is a $150 fee for theDont Drink and Drive, sign anda $50 fee for the plaque bearingthe name of the victim. TheTeamsters International Union isalso providing funding for signsmemorializing their members whohave been killed by DUI offenders.
Latest Stories
- CTU Gathers with Faith-based Leaders to Highlight Recent Tentative Agreement Wins for Students and Educators
- COOK COUNTY COMMISSIONER KISHA MCCASKILL TAKES CENTER STAGE AS SOUTH SUBURBAN COMMUNITY UNITES FOR A GREENER FUTURE
- RICH TOWNSHIP SUPERVISOR CALVIN JORDAN LEADS HEARTWARMING SPRING CELEBRATION FOR HUNDREDS OF FAMILIES WITH “EASTER JAMBOREE” CELEBRATION
- Local Musician’s Career Spans 50 Years
- Have Questions About Money? The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office Can Help
Latest Podcast
STARR Community Services International, Inc.
