URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) — The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission is looking for community input on how to reduce traffic fatalities as 2025’s year-to-date total is the worst the county has seen in two decades.

The commission said in a news release Monday morning that in just the last six months, 13 people lost their lives in Champaign County crashes, and there is currently no clear pattern on how to guide the county to zero traffic crash fatalities.

The commission wants to change that.

“Too many people are injured or killed in mostly preventable crashes,” said Rita Morocoima-Black, the commission’s Planning and Community Development Director. “Every community needs to be proactive in determining what changes can be made, whether it’s updating an
intersection design, identifying streets where increased enforcement would be beneficial, or providing educational opportunities for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.”

Input can include pinpointing a dangerous intersection, a road that needs a bike lane or anything related to walking, using buses and riding in vehicles. Morocoima-Black said the commission hopes this project will keep everyone safer when traveling.

Using a grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation, the commission set up a safety survey and a comments map online for people to offer their thoughts. If anyone prefers to share input in another way, the commission will always take comments by email, regular mail or over the phone.

The survey and comments map will be available until the end of August.