National Safety Council Partners with the Circuit Court of Cook County to Offer Defensive Driving Courses to Illinois Drivers

Training and education are essential to curb the rising death toll across the state

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Sep 27, 2016, 10:00 ET

ITASCA, Ill., Sept. 27, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Safety Council, through a partnership with the Circuit Court of Cook County, will provide driver safety education to Illinois drivers who receive moving violations or other traffic offenses. The partnership makes Cook County the largest county in the country to provide NSC Defensive Driving Courses through the courts, which reduces court congestion and overall administrative costs while driving down the rate of recidivism.

The mission of the National Safety Council is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. (PRNewsFoto/National Safety Council)

"Illinois residents deserve to arrive at their destinations safe and sound," said Deborah A.P. Hersman, president and CEO of the National Safety Council. "We look forward to working with Cook County leaders to create a culture of traffic safety excellence."

Car crashes are the second leading cause of preventable death in Illinois, and they are on the rise. The National Safety Council estimates motor vehicle deaths statewide increased 12 percent in the first six months of 2016 compared to the same period last year, underscoring the need for better driver education and training.

"I look forward to partnering with the National Safety Council to help make our roads safer," Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans said. "Whether it's somebody speeding, texting, or driving while impaired, there are many behaviors that we need to address to prevent reckless driving and car accidents. I'm confident that our work with the National Safety Council will allow us to take great strides in the education of drivers in Cook County."

Courses in Cook County will be offered both online and in classrooms at various locations. Participants will learn:

Basic techniques to recognize potential hazards and avoid collisions and violations
How to change behind-the-wheel behaviors and attitudes
Coping mechanisms for dealing with speeding, distracted driving, impaired driving and hazardous traffic conditions
The most recent statistics and research about motor vehicle safety and effective crash prevention strategies

The National Safety Council has been a leading authority on driver training since 1964, offering courses and training for both individuals and organizations. Learn more at nsc.org/ddc.

About the National Safety Council
Founded in 1913 and chartered by Congress, the National Safety Council, nsc.org, is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to save lives by preventing injuries and deaths at work, in homes and communities, and on the road through leadership, research, education and advocacy. NSC advances this mission by partnering with businesses, government agencies, elected officials and the public in areas where we can make the most impact – distracted driving, teen driving, workplace safety, prescription drug overdoses and Safe Communities.

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SOURCE National Safety Council