Most drivers in the US believe that the roads are becoming more dangerous. They argue that more people than ever are using their mobile phones behind the wheel. As well as this, they think that more people go above the speed limit these days. But is this true? To find out whether the roads are getting more dangerous in America, and in particular, Illinois, check out the article below:
The Number of Fatalities on America’s Roads
In 2021, the number of traffic fatalities in America increased by 10.5%. More than 42,900 people lost their lives on America’s highways, up from 38,824 the year before. This was the most significant increase ever recorded, proving that America’s roads are becoming more dangerous.
Are Illinois Roads Getting More Dangerous?
Although Illinois doesn’t have the deadliest roads in America (Mississippi has this title), according to the Federal Highway Safety Officials, Illinois roads are more dangerous than ever. In 2021, 1,357 people died on Illinois roads, compared with 1,194 the year before. This means there were a whopping 163 more fatalities on the roads, equating to an almost 14% increase.
As well as this, since 2020:
- Fatalities on urban roads have increased by 16%
- Fatalities in multi-vehicle crashes have increased by 16%
- Fatalities among people aged 65 and above were up 14%
- Fatalities involving a minimum of one large truck increased by 13%
- Pedestrian fatalities have increased by 13%
- Daytime fatalities have increased by 11%
- Motorcycle fatalities have increased by 9%
- Fatalities caused by speeding were up by 5%
- Fatalities caused by alcohol consumption increased by 5%
- Bicyclist fatalities increased by 5%
What to Do if You’re Involved in an Accident
If you’re involved in an accident on the road, here are the steps you need to follow:
- Stop after the accident – you must stop even after a minor accident.
- Check for any injuries – if you were injured in the crash, you must obtain medical attention.
- Check the car for damage – it’s essential to look to see if your car has any damage. As well as this, it’s also a good idea to check any other cars and take photos for evidence.
- Exchange details – if required, you must exchange details with any others involved in the crash.
- Report the accident to the police – if injuries have been sustained during the crash, no matter how minor they may be, you must report the accident to the police.
- Report the accident to your insurers – ensure you have the details of all other involved parties, a note of what took place, any witness’s details, photographs, etc., on hand.
- Contact an accident attorney – if you were involved in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to compensation. Our team of accident attorneys at Monge & Associates will be able to help you determine if you are.
Many drivers in Illinois feel unsafe on the roads these days, and we can see why they feel this way. The statistics show that the number of fatalities on Illinois roads has increased significantly in the past few years.
If you’ve been injured or lost someone in a road traffic accident, you can contact our Chicago car accident lawyers at Monge & Associates for a free consultation on 800-421-0174.
We have offices in 30 locations across 18 states, including Chicago, Illinois, and Tampa, Florida.