Articles Posted in Car Accident

Illinois authorities are launching a new campaign, “Drive Now. Text Later,” aimed at reducing the risk of distracted car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere in Illinois.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys frequently post on the dangers of distracted driving, both here and on our sister site, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer Blog. As we reported last January, Illinois’ texting law went into effect Jan. 1, 2010, making it illegal to text while driving. The law also prohibits the use of hand-held cell phones in school zones and construction sites.Hand-held cell phone use by drivers has been prohibited within the City of Chicago since 2005. Nationwide, an estimated 5,000 motorists are killed and 500,000 are injured each year in accidents caused by distracted driving.

However, a recent online survey indicated 4 in 10 tollway customers did not know that it is illegal to text or e-mail while driving. The new campaign is being launched by the Illinois Department of Transportation in conjunction with Illinois State Police, The Illinois Secretary of State and AAA Chicago.

“We were surprised to learn that so many of our customers were simply not aware that texting while driving is illegal in Illinois,” said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur. “This campaign is intended to remind us of the potentially deadly consequences that go along with texting while driving. Our customers need to focus on safe driving and remember that they can’t do both.”

The campaign will include posters on tollbooths, as well as at rest stops, driver’s license facilities and elsewhere. Television and radio announcements are also planned along with bumper stickers and road-side message boards.

“With the increased use of technological devices, distracted driving has become a serious issue in our state and in the nation,” said Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White. “That’s why in 2009 we initiated the no texting while driving law in Illinois. No driver has any business text messaging while they are driving. Additionally, we initiated the ban on talking on cell phones in school zones and construction zones. By working together, we can educate the public on these life-saving laws and make the roads in Illinois the safest ever.”

You can visit the website for “Drive Now. Text Later” TV and radio announcements, the campaign logo and posters.

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Our Chicago personal injury lawyers published information here about winter driving safety to start the winter driving season. Earlier this month we posted Chicago winter driving tips on our Car Accident Lawyer Blog. And in December, we posted safety tips regarding the dangers of black ice in Chicago.

This winter is shaping up to be one of the toughest in recent memory in Illinois, throughout the Midwest and on the East Coast. On Monday, the Illinois Department of Transportation issued a disaster declaration ahead of what is expected to be the worst storm yet this season.”The entire Midwest region of the country is expected to be hit with a serious winter storm over the next few days, and it is important that we are prepared so that Illinois residents are safe and warm in the days ahead,” said Governor Pat Quinn. “We will be increasing efforts to make sure that our roads are clear and that our most vulnerable residents are staying indoors and staying warm.”

The state has activated the State Emergency Operations Center in Springfield, which will be manned around the clock for the storm’s duration. Those who do not have to travel are encouraged to help reduce the number of Chicago car accidents and emergency calls by staying put and remaining indoors.

“We’re working closely with local emergency management officials throughout the state to monitor conditions and be ready to provide whatever assistance they may need,” said Joe Klinger, interim director of the Illinois Emergency Management Agency (IEMA). “But it’s also important that people prepare themselves for this storm by stocking their homes with food, water, flashlights, radios and other necessities.”

Motorists can check the conditions of Interstates by calling 1-800-452-4368 or by visiting www.gettingaroundillinois.com and clicking on Winter Road Conditions.

Neighbors and friends are also encouraged to check on older adults. The Illinois Department of Aging and the Illinois Department of Human Services will also be working around the clock.
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It’s not recognition we would wish for, but our Chicago car accident lawyers were not surprised to see we were ranked as Number One in road congestion.

The Breaking News Center reported the Urban Mobility Report, released by the Texas Transportation Institute found that commuters in Chicago waste an average of 70 hours on the road each year.The congestion alone is enough to increase the risk of a Chicago car crash. It also increases the risk of other dangerous driving behaviors, including aggressive driving, distracted driving, running red lights and even speeding, when and if a motorist can break out of the gridlock.

The report of the traffic issues in Chicago comes even as some other major metropolitan areas are seeing some relief when it comes to heavy rush hour traffic, if only because of high unemployment and the struggling economy.

The 70 extra hours spent behind the wheel each year by Chicago drivers was more than twice the national average of 34 hours. Chicago had ranked No. 2 and No. 3 in the past. Chicago motorists spent an extra 64 hours behind the wheel in 2008, compared to 55 hours in 1999 and 18 hours in 1982.

Los Angeles had previously held the top spot.

All that extra time behind the wheel comes with a price. On average, congestion cost each commuter $1,738 last year. In all, the nation spent $115 billion on congestion, wasted an additional 4.8 billion hours behind the wheel and consumed just shy of 4 billion extra gallons of fuel.

The study looked at 439 urban areas and found the issues associated with congestion would have been even more acute without mass transit, which saved 785 million man-hours and 640 million gallons of fuel.

And, unfortunately, all this could amount to the good news. Congestion is expected to get worse as the economy recovers.

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Whether Illinois car crash attorneys will exist years down the road is starting to become a legitimate question. Recent advances in automotive technology are indicating that cars may drive themselves in the not so distant future. While there will still be accidents and injuries, they may occur much less frequently.

Google recently announced that, in an effort to reduce traffic collisions, they have developed the technology necessary for cars to drive themselves. They believe this will also free up people’s time and reduce carbon emissions.

Google states that as of October, 2010 its automated cars (occupied by trained drivers) have been in use in various parts of California and have been driven for over 140,000 miles. The vehicles use video cameras, radar sensors and lasers to navigate traffic. The system also uses detailed maps made possible by Google’s data centers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration apparently got the memo because it finally posted safe winter driving information on its website this week as the season shapes up to be one of the toughest in recent memory.The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that snowy conditions were at least partly responsible for 4,289 Chicago car accidents in 2009, injuring more than 900 motorists. Nearly 130 were injured in accidents where sleet, wind and hail were a contributing factor and almost 3,600 motorists suffered injuries in accidents involving rain.

Just last week, the Associated Press reported a woman was found dead a month after wandering into a snowy field following a Chicago car accident.

Our Chicago injury attorneys remind motorists to allow extra time to reach their destination and to practice other safe driving habits to reduce your chances of being involved in a serious or fatal auto accident.