Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

The results are in for the 2010 Traffic Safety Culture Index, which is published each year by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys publish the results of the report each year, as it offers a glimpse into how the general public feels about important safety issues, such as drunk driving and distracted driving. This year’s report opens with the most sobering statistic of all — more than 1 million motorists have been killed in traffic crashes in the United States in the last 25 years. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for those under the age of 34.This is the 5th year of the cultural index, which has given safety advocates an enlightened view of the opinions of the general public, which have not always shown concern for some of the pressing safety issues of the day.

“On the other hand, this survey also highlights some aspects of the current traffic safety culture that might be characterized most appropriately as a culture of indifference, where drivers effectively say ‘do as I say, not as I do,'” the report states. “For example, substantial numbers of drivers say that it is completely unacceptable to text message or talk on a cell phone while driving, yet admit to doing so anyway.”

Among the findings:

-Half of Americans have been involved in a serious crash or have had a relative or friend who has been involved in a serious crash.

-More than half of all drivers report feeling less safe than five years ago — up 17 percent from last year. Nearly half cite driver distraction as the main reason for feeling less safe.

-Drivers view drinking and driving as a primary threat and fewer than 2 percent admit to drinking and driving in the last month.

-More than two-thirds of Americans support ignition interlock devices for first-time DUI offenders and there is almost universal support for requiring the devices for repeat offenders.

-Two-thirds of drivers admit to talking on their phone while driving in the last month.

-Most driver view texting and emailing while driving as a serious threat to their personal safety, however, about one-fourth of drivers admit to texting and driving.

-Two-thirds support restricting hand-held cell phones while driving.

-Nearly half of drivers admit to driving 15 mph or more over the speed limit on the freeway in the last month. One-third consider it acceptable to do so.

-Most drivers view running red lights as unacceptable but about one-third admit to doing so in the past month.

-Most drivers view drowsy driving as a serious threat, yet 1 in 4 admit to driving while so tired they could barely keep their eyes open at some point in the last month.

-Two-thirds support primary seat-belt laws. Three-quarters of motorists say they always buckle up.

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Chicago personal injury lawyer David Abels pictured with Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White at the
Chicago Bulls vs. the Los Angeles Lakers game on December 10 (the Bulls won 88-84).

Click here to read safety tips from the Secretary of State’s Office on how to avoid Illinois car crashes.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers frequently report on the dangers motorists face as a result of distracted driving, particularly cell phone use and text messaging while behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 5,474 motorists were killed and nearly 450,000 were injured last year in car accidents caused by distracted driving.

The National Safety Council opened December by launching a push for a nationwide ban on cell phone use by drivers. The Itasca, Illinois safety organization claims a recent survey found such a ban would be supported by two-thirds of voters.Car accidents in Chicago have been reduced in the years since the city outlawed hand-held cell phone use by drivers. Meanwhile, two new laws were enacted in Illinois this year which make it illegal to text message while driving or to use hand-held cell phones in schools zones and construction sites. Fines for violations start at $75.

But it is precisely such patchwork legislation that the NSC aims to end by pushing for a nationwide ban. The organization also contends that using hands-free devices are no safer. Only eight states ban the use of all hand-held cell phones by drivers and no state bans the use of phones completely.

The organization said phones are a factor in 1.3 million crashes a year and half of 2,424 respondents to a recent survey said they believe a nationwide ban would increase highway safety “a great deal.” While texting by drivers is now outlawed in 30 states, the NSC reports that cell phone conversations are involved in 12 times as many crashes as text messaging.

“The public is fed up with their safety being jeopardized because of phone calls,” said David Teater, senior director of Transportation Initiatives for NSC. “It is our hope that elected officials realize the strong public support for laws, and that they are quickly passed to protect motorists and others on our roadways.”

Early this year, the federal government conducted pilot enforcement programs of cell phone laws in Hartford Connecticut and Syracuse, New York. The year-long campaigns found it is possible to enforce such bans in a manner similar to “Click it or Ticket” seat-belt enforcement campaigns. The enforcement effort led to a reduction of as much as 50 percent in driver cell phone use.
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The National Safety Council reports that Older Driver Safety Awareness Week runs from December 6-10 and is encouraging families to speak with older loved ones about the importance of safe driving in reducing the risk of Chicago car accidents.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers encourage families to make discussing the issue a part of their holiday plans with friends and family. The subject of safe driving among older adults is a critical safety issue that will grow exponentially in the coming years with the retirement of the baby boomers.The number of drivers over the age of 65 is expected to grow 70 percent over the next 20 years, a growth rate that will eclipse all age groups except teenagers. It’s a sobering statistic that could result in the deaths of up to 100,000 older motorists over the next two decades.

Older Driver Safety Awareness Weeks is being sponsored by the American Occupational Therapy Association as a chance for the children and loved ones to discuss the issue with older drivers. For many, it can be a difficult conversation to start; a recent survey found children would rather talk to parents about funeral plans than about taking away the car keys.

The USA Today recently reported that most older adults will outlive their driving abilities, men by about six years and women by an average of 10 years. Fatality rates begin to increase at about age 75 and drivers over the age of 85 have a worse safety record than teenagers, who are typically considered to be the most dangerous drivers on the road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the number of licensed older drivers has increased 19 percent to 31 million in the last decade. More than 183,000 older drivers were involved in car accidents in 2008. More than two-thirds of those accidents happened during daylight hours and during the week.

Illinois car accidents claimed the lives of 163 older drivers, including 92 who were over the age of 75 and 30 who were over the age of 85.

The NSC provides the following tips for speaking to an older loved one:

-Take rides with an older driver and observe with an open mind.

-Notice any reluctance to drive on the part of an older driver.

-Watch for slowed reaction times.

-Pay attention to an older driver’s awareness of surroundings.

-Check the vehicle for signs of damage (when the older driver is not present).

-Check with an older driver’s friends and neighbors for observations.

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Two different Chicago car crashes that occurred on the South Side and the West Side on Saturday morning have claimed the lives of two people, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

The first deadly Chicago auto accident took place around 5:20 AM in the 3800 block of S. Ashland Ave. A 21-year-old driver in a white Oldsmobile Delta 88 traveling with two passengers hit a median, spun out of control and then hit a viaduct pillar. The driver, a South side resident, was pronounced dead a short time later at Stroger Hospital.

One of the passengers was also taken to Cook County Hospital, but his condition has not been reported. There is also no word if the other passenger was injured.

As December begins, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the state is on the verge of reporting fewer than 1,000 traffic fatalities for the second year in a row. Last year was the first time since 1921 that fewer than 1,000 motorists were killed on the state’s roads.

Fewer Chicago car accidents is part of the reason. Through November, 124 fatal car accidents have been reported in Chicago, compared to 141 during the same period last year and 156 through the first 11 months of 2008.As our Chicago injury lawyers have reported, much of the reduction has been the result of high unemployment, the slow economy and less road congestion. In fact, there is some evidence that fatalities have begun to rise again with the economic recovery. So far this year there have been 855 fatalities, 17 more than the 838 reported statewide through the first 11 months of last year.

That’s part of the reason traffic safety efforts are expected to be intense through the holiday season, which began with a host of traffic enforcement initiatives on Thanksgiving weekend, including 2,000 seat belt enforcement zones, 68 roadside safety checkpoints and more than 1,000 additional patrols.

“The partnership between IDOT, state and local law enforcement exemplifies our collective commitment and dedication to traffic safety in Illinois,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “We strongly urge all drivers and passengers to continue to buckle-up, properly secure your child in the appropriate safety seat, never drink and drive and please silence or place your cell phone in the glove compartment before driving.”

Speeding, distracted driving, failure to wear seat belts, drunk driving, drowsy driving and aggressive driving are among the most common causes of serious or fatal accidents. As the holiday coincides with the start of the winter driving season, authorities are also urging motorists to have their cars serviced, to allow for extra time to reach their destinations, and to make other accommodations for bad weather and poor driving conditions.
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