Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog
Coming soon: Public service announcements, newspaper articles, press releases, banner ads, TV commercials and increased enforcement aimed at reducing holiday drunk driving accidents.
The Chicago drunk driving accident lawyers and the personal injury and wrongful death attorneys at Abels & Annes urge motorists to enjoy the upcoming holiday season by drinking responsibly, using designated drivers and public transportation, and insuring everyone’s safety by not driving while impaired.
Have a plan: Those who leave home without a plan usually end up making poor decisions.
The federal government is preparing an all-out blitz in conjunction with state and local law enforcement in preparation for the holiday driving season.
A total of 27 people were killed and 2,377 seriously injured in Illinois car accidents last year over the Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s holidays, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Illinois New Year’s car accidents claimed the most lives. However Illinois Thanksgiving car accidents and Christmas traffic accident injured more motorists.
And while that is down from the 48 killed and 2,919 killed in 2004, the truth is holiday accident statistics vary by wide margins, depending in part on when holidays fall, but one thing remains constant: The period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s is one of the deadliest times on the road.
Nationwide, last year’s Thanksgiving Holiday saw an increase in fatalities: 158 were killed, compared to 139 in 2007, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
Many safety advocates credit strict enforcement and awareness campaigns with reducing the number of serious and fatal accidents through the core holiday period. And, while Fourth of July and Labor Day where the deadliest single holidays last year, the trio of year-end holidays presents officials with the deadliest month-long stretch on the calendar.
Heavy traffic, impaired driving, visitors unfamiliar with roads, older drivers or younger drivers whom might not otherwise embark on lengthy or numerous trips, holiday stress, and fresh winter weather can all contribute to accidents throughout December.
Illinois Holiday traffic statistics
Memorial Day: 8 killed 726 injured in 2008, compared to 22 killed 1,098 injured in 2004 Fourth of July: 15 killed and 805 injured in 2008 compared to 6 killed and 1,148 injured in 2004 Labor Day: 15 killed and 803 injured in 2008 compared to 12 killed and 1,060 injured in 2004 Thanksgiving: 9 killed and 961 injured in 2008 compared to 19 killed and 1,117 injured in 2004 Christmas: 8 killed and 841 injured in 2008 compared to 22 killed and 927 injured in 2004 New Year’s: 10 killed and 575 injured in 2008 compared to 7 killed and 875 injured in 2004
If you or someone you love has been injured or killed in an accident, call the Chicago injury lawyers and wrongful death attorneys at Abels & Annes for a free appointment to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.