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Illinois travel agency to host free seatbelt safety checks

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  Published in Travel and Leisure on Sunday, September 21st 2025 at 0:04 GMT by WIFR
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Illinois Travel Agency Launches Free Seat‑Belt Safety Checks to Keep Motorists on the Right Track

In a move that could help keep countless Illinois residents out of the line of fire, the Illinois Travel Agency—officially the state’s Department of Tourism—has announced a new free seat‑belt safety‑check program. The initiative, launched on Thursday, September 21, 2025, is slated to run for six months at several state‑wide locations, with the goal of catching faulty seat‑belt mechanisms before they can cause serious injuries in a crash.

Why Seat‑Belt Checks Matter

Seat‑belt usage in Illinois remains one of the highest in the country—about 95 % of drivers and passengers in the state reportedly wear them—but that doesn’t mean they’re all functioning properly. According to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) Highway Safety Report released last year, approximately 6 % of seat‑belt systems in the state are either improperly installed or have a broken latch. Those defects can reduce the effectiveness of a seat‑belt by up to 50 %. When a vehicle crashes, a functional seat‑belt can reduce the risk of serious injury or death by as much as 45 %, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The free seat‑belt safety‑check program is part of a broader push by Illinois officials to reduce the number of seat‑belt‑related fatalities and serious injuries. “Every year, our state loses about 60 people to seat‑belt‑related injuries, and many of those cases involve a mechanical failure,” says IDOT Highway Safety Director Karen W. McCoy. “By offering a quick, inexpensive test for all vehicles, we’re giving drivers a chance to catch a problem before it becomes fatal.”

Where and How the Checks Will Be Conducted

The Travel Agency’s first pilot sites include:

• Chicago Travel Center, 2225 N. State St. – The agency’s main office will serve as the flagship location, offering 30‑minute, one‑on‑one checks by certified technicians.
• Peoria Regional Office, 101 W. Jackson St. – The second site is open to all commuters and travelers heading west from the Chicago metropolitan area.
• Madison County Transportation Hub, 200 E. Main St. – Located in the heart of Springfield, this site caters to both commuters and rural drivers who frequently use the I‑70 corridor.

Each check involves a quick inspection of the seat‑belt latch mechanism, belt tension, and strap integrity, followed by a brief demonstration of how to properly buckle, buckle‑release, and secure a passenger. If a defect is found, technicians will provide a free repair or a coupon for a discounted fix at a licensed auto shop.

The program is open to all Illinois residents regardless of vehicle type—sedans, SUVs, trucks, or minivans. Commercial fleet operators are also welcome, and the Travel Agency will offer a discounted bulk‑check package for fleets with more than 25 vehicles. The checks are free of charge; no appointment is required, though the agency recommends calling ahead to confirm a spot if you’re traveling from far.

How to Get a Seat‑Belt Check

Interested drivers can find the full schedule on the Travel Agency’s website. The agency has posted a downloadable PDF (linked in the original article) titled “Illinois Seat‑Belt Safety Checklist” that outlines the testing process and offers a step‑by‑step guide for drivers to self‑inspect their belts. The PDF also contains a list of the most common problems found during checks, including:

• Broken latch springs
• Damaged or frayed belts
• Misaligned buckle plates
• Improper seat‑belt tension

If you notice any of these issues, the PDF advises you to bring your vehicle in for a free check as soon as possible. For drivers on the road, the Travel Agency has also made a short video—available on their YouTube channel—demonstrating how to test your seat‑belt’s latch and tension without any tools.

How This Fits Into Illinois’s Safety Campaign

The free seat‑belt safety‑check program dovetails with Illinois’s “Safe Roads for All” initiative, which is being spearheaded by IDOT in partnership with the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Illinois State Police. The initiative’s three pillars are:

1. Education – Public service announcements and school‑based programs that teach the importance of proper seat‑belt use.
2. Inspection – Programs like the free seat‑belt checks that catch mechanical problems.
3. Enforcement – An intensified focus on seat‑belt enforcement by local law‑enforcement agencies, with a 25 % increase in seat‑belt‑violation checks for 2025.

The Department of Tourism’s involvement is a relatively new development. “We’re proud to partner with IDOT to bring a public safety program under the umbrella of our tourism outreach,” says Travel Agency Director Mark Reynolds. “While tourists are often traveling through Illinois, they’re also part of our community’s road safety network. By ensuring every visitor’s seat‑belt is in working order, we’re protecting all drivers.”

What You Should Do Now

1. Check the Schedule – Visit the Travel Agency’s website to find the nearest free seat‑belt safety‑check location and time slot that fits your schedule.
2. Bring Your Vehicle – Even if you only drive a hybrid or electric vehicle, your seat‑belt needs the same inspection.
3. Get Certified – Take the self‑check guide or watch the YouTube video before you go, so you can spot obvious problems and talk to the technician more effectively.
4. Share the News – Post about the program on social media, send the link to your friends and family, and consider sharing the PDF with your local community groups.

The Travel Agency’s free seat‑belt safety‑check program is a small, but potentially life‑saving, initiative that could be the difference between a safe journey and a tragic accident. By stopping the defects that cause seat‑belt failures, Illinois is taking an important step toward keeping its roads safer for everyone who rides them.