Not a Game: New safety campaign highlights real consequences of unsafe driving

"It’s Not a Game" is IDOT’s new safety campaign driving home the message there are no extra lives, no respawns and no second chances to get it right when you are behind the wheel. “It’s Not a Game” continues IDOTs comprehensive approach to reduce injuries and fatalities  associated with motorcycles, bicycles, pedestrians, seatbelt use and work zones, as well as impaired and distracted driving.

“The rising number of traffic fatalities in Illinois and across the country is deeply concerning, especially since almost all of them are preventable,” said Secretary Omer Osman. “‘It’s Not a Game’ is a clever way to reinforce the message that bad choices can cost you your life or someone else’s and the only acceptable number of fatalities is zero.”

“It’s Not a Game” relies on the appearance of an old-school video game platform to educate drivers that safety is not a game. Everyone is a winner when “wreck-less” driving is the shared goal.

The campaign is running throughout the year on various media, including digital placement in bars, restaurants and gas stations, social media and online platforms, as well as radio and TV. More information is available at www.itsnotagameillinois.com and you can take an online quiz on safety statistics, itsnotagameillinois.com/roadsafetyquiz.

According to provisional data, 1,341 people died on Illinois roads in 2021, the sixth consecutive year of more than 1,000 traffic fatalities in the state, mirroring a national trend in recent years. This year, there have been 572 deaths in Illinois, based on preliminary statistics as of July 1.