News From

State Representative Ron Stephens

For Immediate Release: May 14, 2008

Contact: Rep. Stephens

618-651-0405

Rep. Stephens’ Resolution calling for a Cable Barrier Study passes the House

Springfield…. A resolution introduced by Representative Ron Stephens (R-Highland) requesting IDOT to conduct a study on the feasibility of expanding the use of cable barriers passed unanimously in the House of Representatives today.

House Resolution 0927 was introduced earlier this year in response to the crash on Interstate 64 on November 23, near Illinois 158, involving an Illinois State Police officer and two sisters, 18-year-old Jessica Uhl and 13-year-old Kelli. The Uhls were driving westbound on I-64, when the trooper, who was heading east at a high rate of speed, lost control of his car, crossing over the median and hitting the Uhls’ vehicle, killing both girls instantly.

“I am pleased that my colleagues saw the need to look into the further use of cable barriers on our highways,” Stephens said. “While we can do nothing to bring back Jessica and Kelli Uhl, we can attempt to make sure that an accident, such as the one they were involved in, will not happen again.”

The resolution which requests that IDOT conduct a study on the feasibility of expanding the use of cable barriers in Illinois and report its findings and recommendations to the General Assembly no later than July 1, 2009. Recently, the Missouri Department of Transportation released a report citing further evidence that the cable barriers have saved lives on their highways.

“Earlier this year, MoDOT reported some outstanding statistics about how median guard cables on their state’s busiest highways are responsible for bringing the total number of crossover fatalities down” Rep. Stephens explained. “They experienced a huge decrease in a short period of time, and the resolution passed today will begin the process of bringing those kinds of results to our highways.”

MoDOT reported that the total number of crossover deaths had fallen from 55 to only two in the previous year.

The resolution passed in the House with a vote of 113-0-0 and takes effect immediately.

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