Illinois Traffic Fatalities Reach New Low

 Posted on March 04, 2015 in Personal Injury

The Illinois Department of Transportation released its preliminary traffic data and the numbers indicate that the state posted its lowest number of traffic accident deaths since 1921. Last year the state only had 910 traffic fatalities and this was the sixth year straight where the number of traffic deaths fell below 1,000. In 2013, there were 999 traffic deaths. This is quite the improvement compared to numbers from 10 and 20 years ago. In 2004 there were 1,355 deaths and in 1994 there were 1,554 traffic deaths. Winter May Play a Part in Fatality Decrease The Department of Transportation credited the drop in fatalities to "the exceptionally harsh winter and reduction in travel" and the fact that cars are being made to be increasingly safer. While winter conditions make for unsafe driving conditions, the bad weather discourages drivers from going on the road in the first place. A study by the University of Michigan's Transportation Research Institute found in 2014 that traffic deaths were down by 30 percent. In the study, the decrease in Illinois was specifically attributed the 2014 ban on cell phone usage in construction zones and school zones, the graduated license program and safer roads. Illinois' "Drive Now. Text Later" campaign is also believed to have had a positive impact on driver safety. The 2010 program focused on informing Illinois drivers that it is in fact illegal to text while on a state toll road and on the dangers of distracted driving. In 2010, over 3,000 people were killed in car accidents that involved a distracted driver (typically cell phone distraction). However, in 2011 the number dropped to 1,100 and in 2012 cell phone distractions were the main distraction in only 600 traffic crashes. Another factor that is believed to have helped decrease the number of fatalities is newly increased highway speed limits. This may seem counter-intuitive, but many believe that higher speed limits means drivers travel at more similar speeds, thus reducing the number of accidents. Reach Out to Our Attorneys for Help While fatalities are steadily decreasing, traffic accidents remain a danger for pedestrians, passengers, and other drivers. If you or a loved one was hurt or killed in a traffic accident, please contact an experienced DuPage County car accident attorney at Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, suffering, property damage and medical bills. It is imperative you act quickly to speak with an attorney and learn how to file a personal injury case, as the statute of limitations in Illinois provides only a short period of time in which you can pursue a claim. As such, we invite you to reach out to us today and learn how we can be of assistance to you during this time.