The Peoria area saw the largest drop in traffic fatalities in Illinois, when comparing the 2011 statistics with other state police districts. Trooper Dustin Pierce says District 8 saw a reduction of 13 traffic related deaths when comparing last year to 2010.
He says there were 23 fatalities in the 5-county district in 2011. There were 36 road deaths the previous year. Trooper Pierce says he's still not satisfied. Pierce says troopers did arrest more drivers under the influence New Years weekend, so there is still work to do.
Pierce says District 8 also lead the state in the 5-year average of less traffic fatalities.
