ELGIN – With the launch of the next phase of the Illinois Department of Transportation’s “Life or Death Illinois” campaign, State Senator Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) is taking time to remember people who lost their lives in traffic accidents and urges others to do the same.

“It’s important to consider that traffic fatalities are not just statistics on a page. They are real people,” Castro said. “Each one is a unique individual with a rich, vibrant life story who left behind family and friends who miss them dearly every day. We need to remember these individuals, not just in how their life impacted those around them, but how their death did as well.”

IDOT started Life or Death Illinois in 2018 with the goal of reducing traffic injuries and fatalities, with a specific focus on motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, seatbelt use, safe driving in work zones, and not driving while impaired or distracted. In 2019, there were 26 fewer deaths on Illinois roads than the previous year.

“Traffic accidents do not discriminate. They can happen to anyone at any time, and in an instant, an entire family’s life is changed forever,” Castro said.

Visit lifeordeathillinois.com to follow the campaign or share stories of lives lost.