Illinois Traffic Deaths Up for the Second Straight Year

Traffic deaths in Illinois rose for a second year in a row in 2013, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Transportation. As of December 31, there were 973 accident fatalities in 2013, compared to 956 the year before. This is an increase of 2%, which adds to the 4% increase the year before compared to the 918 deaths in 2011.

Despite the increase, deaths on Illinois roads are still historically low, with 2013 the fifth year in a row that fatalities have stayed below 1,000. According to experts, this recent rise simply reflects normal fluctuations that are seen across the country when traffic fatalities drop to historic lows.

In 2009, Illinois had its lowest number of traffic fatalities (911) since 1921. Ten years ago, there were 1,355 deaths on the roads. Fatal accidents saw a peak in 1941 with 2,600 deaths, and exceeded 2,000 every year from 1963 through 1979.

Like other states, Illinois has attempted to reduce fatalities by increasing safety laws. The state made seat belts mandatory in 1985, granting officers the ability to ticket someone for failing to wear a seat belt, but only if they stopped the vehicle for another infraction until more recently.

The data includes deaths involving vehicles, as well as those involving cyclists and pedestrians. Recently, deaths involving cyclists and pedestrians has been on the rise, as more people use bicycles, motorcycles and walking to get around.

Cook County accounts for more than 1/4 of the traffic fatalities in Illinois, according to data from IDOT. In 2013, 232 crashes in the county killed 250 people, while the 5-year average for the state is 951 deaths per year.

Experts believe two new traffic safety laws will have an impact, including the new law prohibiting drivers from using handheld cellphones while driving, and increasing the speed limit on rural interstate highways to 70 mph.