With several major metropolitan areas and thousands of miles of highly trafficked roadways, Illinois is also home to hundreds of thousands of devastating vehicle collisions each year. Whether you are driving to work, to school, shuttling your kids or simply running household errands, a crash lurks around nearly every corner. From bad weather to distracted drivers to drunk drivers you stand the risk of serious injury in both urban and rural areas.
Are there times, though, that are safer than others?
Nearly every year, the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) compiles crash statistics and provides them to the public. The most recent published data, from 2014, highlights many interesting facts about Illinois roads, including:
- 296,049 crashes occurred on Illinois roadways in 2014
- 811 traffic crashes per day in 2014
- More than 2 persons were killed per day in traffic crashes in 2014
- More than 9 persons were injured per hour in 2014
Collectively, the IDOT refers to these stats as the Highway Safety Clock, and it helps to put dangerous roadways into perspective. The fact that two people were killed in a crash each day for the entire year 2014 is a shocking, terrifying statistic.
How Can I Stay Safe?
The main rule is that you need to stay aware of your surroundings. For nearly half the year, the Midwest is devastated by severe weather. From a driving rainstorm to several inches of snow, roads can be dangerous. Be aware of coming weather and plan your activities around it.
Additionally, be aware of other drivers. Unfortunately, distracted driving is a central factor in a vast majority of accidents. From texting to eating to personal grooming, drivers who allow their attention to be pulled from the road can dramatically impact everyone’s safety.
Are There Safer Times Of Day?
The statistics typically follow common sense. Of the 296,049 crashes, a significant number of them happen on Fridays (48,949 crashes). Of the total number of crashes, a significant number of them (77,194 crashes) occur between 4 p.m. and 7:59 p.m. According to data collected by the IDOT, you have a greater chance of being in an auto collision during the Friday evening commute.
It is critical that you stay aware of the road around you. If you or a family member is ever in an accident caused by the negligence of other drivers, it is important to learn more about your legal options. Contact a vehicle accident injury attorney to discuss your case.
