top of page

Meet Midwest Center for Traffic Safety

A Place for Learning

Midwest Center for Traffic Safety began with a small, enthusiastic group that wanted a place for academics to meet and conversations about education to thrive. Today, our platform is full of diverse topics and engaging conversations covering all aspects of education. Get involved today to learn, share, connect and collaborate with our community.

Mission

​

At the Midwest Center for Traffic Safety, our mission is to reduce traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries across the region by implementing evidence-based strategies grounded in the Safe System Approach. We aim to address the most pressing issues contributing to roadway deaths—impaired and distracted driving, speeding, and lack of seat belt use—by advancing equitable education, enforcement, engineering, and emergency response practices. Through collaborative partnerships, data-driven research, and community engagement, we strive to create safer, more resilient transportation systems for all users, especially the most vulnerable. Our work supports long-term cultural change and sustainable improvements in road safety, ensuring that every journey, regardless of mode, age, income, or background, is safe.

.​
Goals

​

​

The Midwest Center for Traffic Safety is dedicated to reducing traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries across the region by advancing a proactive, data-driven, and equity-centered approach. Our ultimate goal is to create safer communities where everyone, regardless of age, background, income, or mode of travel, can move safely and confidently.

 

Our Guiding Framework: The Safe System Approach

​

We are guided by the Safe System Approach, which acknowledges that while human error is inevitable, traffic deaths and serious injuries are not. This model emphasizes shared responsibility among all stakeholders and promotes systemic changes across five key areas: safe people, safe roads, safe speeds, safe vehicles, and post-crash care. By addressing these pillars, we work toward building a resilient and forgiving transportation system that protects all users.

​

Our Key Goals

​

  1. Reduce High-Risk Behaviors

    We aim to address impaired and distracted driving, speeding, and seat belt non-use through targeted education, community engagement, and strategic enforcement. Rather than focusing solely on punitive measures, we promote long-term behavior change through public awareness and stakeholder partnerships.
     

  2. Improve Roadway Design and Infrastructure

    Collaborating with engineers, planners, and local agencies, we advocate for roadway designs that protect vulnerable users. This includes safer intersections, pedestrian infrastructure, and traffic calming elements that reduce crash risk and severity.
     

  3. Support Data-Informed Strategies

    Data drives all of our work. We collect and analyze traffic crash and behavior data to guide interventions, identify emerging trends, and measure program outcomes. This ensures that our resources are used where they can make the most impact.
     

  4. Promote Equity in Traffic Safety

    Traffic violence disproportionately affects low-income communities, communities of color, and rural areas. We design programs that reach underserved populations and ensure fair access to safety resources, enforcement, and infrastructure improvements.
     

  5. Strengthen Education and Capacity Building

    We provide law enforcement, educators, local leaders, and community advocates tools and training. Our workshops, technical assistance, and resources empower stakeholders to implement effective and sustainable safety initiatives.
     

  6. Enhance Emergency Response

    We support the development of faster, more coordinated post-crash emergency care. This includes collaboration with first responders, EMS, and trauma systems to reduce response times and improve survivability.

.​

IMG_2712.jpeg
Mcts png.png

Our History

​

The Illinois Truck Enforcement Association was founded in 2009 by suburban law enforcement officers specializing in commercial vehicle enforcement. Together, they created a multi-disciplinary network of professionals who shared a vision to standardize and enhance professionalism in truck enforcement. Today, the ITEA stands 500 (+) members strong and continues to make strides in developing commercial vehicle enforcement standards, compliance training, and stakeholder networking building. The ITEA aims to increase roadway safety through collaboration, accountability, and robust communication.

​

In 2023, a new program, the Midwest Center for Traffic Safety, was formed under the umbrella of the ITEA. This program was set with the mission to expand from just commercial vehicles to all disciplines of traffic safety. 

​

Our organization is a 501c3 non-profit that relies on funding from private organizations to help us promote safe roads. Consider donating and helping us reach zero fatalities on our roads. 

itea logo 1.png

View our Annual Report

Mcts png.png
candid-seal-gold-2024.png

Midwest Center for Traffic Safety

A program of the Illinois Truck Enforcement Association
Registered 501c3 Non-Profit 27-1528385

©2023 by Midwest Center for Traffic Safety. Proudly created with Wix.com

Member of the 
MADD Network

image001_edited.jpg
bottom of page