SPRINGFIELD – State Senator Laura Fine is urging Illinois public safety agencies and community partners to take stronger, more coordinated action to address impaired driving, extreme reckless driving, dangerous social‑media‑driven stunts, and the deadly practice known as “ghosting.”
“The loss of life caused by reckless and impaired driving is not just tragic — it is shattering,” said Fine (D‑Glenview). “Behind every statistic is a family whose world has been changed forever. This resolution is a call to confront the most dangerous driving behaviors with the seriousness they demand, and to do everything in our power to prevent another family from experiencing this kind of heartbreak.”
Senate Resolution 816 urges the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Secretary of State, Illinois State Police, local law enforcement, prosecutors, traffic safety organizations and other public safety stakeholders to examine ways to strengthen Illinois’ response to the most extreme and life‑threatening driving conduct. The resolution encourages continued consideration of legislative and policy reforms related to excessive speeding, driving on shoulders or other prohibited areas, operating a vehicle without headlights at night, recording or promoting dangerous driving on social media, and impaired driving that results in catastrophic injury or loss of life.
The resolution honors the memory of Glenview resident Marko Niketic, whose life was cut short on May 12, 2024. Marko had just left home to drive his girlfriend back after Mother’s Day celebrations with their families. According to reports, the crash was allegedly caused by an impaired driver traveling at an extreme speed while also allegedly recording himself at the time of impact. Marko was six weeks shy of his 18th birthday and just days away from his senior graduation.
“Marko was a beloved son, brother, partner and friend. He should still be here,” Fine said. “His family will carry this grief for the rest of their lives. We owe it to them — and to every family who has lost someone to reckless or impaired driving — to confront these behaviors head‑on and refuse to accept them as inevitable.”
The resolution also raises awareness of “ghosting,” a reckless and increasingly visible practice in which drivers operate vehicles at extreme speeds — sometimes more than 100 miles per hour above the posted limit — while driving at night without headlights. This behavior leaves other motorists and pedestrians with no chance to react, turning roadways into deadly environments.
“These are not accidents — they are preventable tragedies,” Fine said. “By urging our state and local agencies to take a deeper, more honest look at how we address the most dangerous driving behaviors, we honor the victims whose lives have been stolen and reaffirm our commitment to protecting every person who uses our roads.”
Senate Resolution 816 was adopted by the Senate on Saturday.
