Pedestrian Deaths Up in Illinois and Nationwide

 Posted on December 00,0000 in Wrongful Death

For pedestrians, being near or attempting to cross busy roadways has always been dangerous. Cars speed by, drivers are often distracted, and the chances of an accident are high. Unfortunately for both Illinois pedestrians and pedestrians nationwide, new data indicates that pedestrian deaths are on the rise. Is it now more dangerous than ever to be a pedestrian in Illinois? An 18 Percent Increase Recently released data from the Illinois Department of Transportation shows an 18 percent increase in pedestrian fatalities in 2015. In 2015, 150 pedestrian deaths occurred in Illinois, compared to 127 in 2014. Federal data shows a similar trend: 4,884 pedestrians were killed nationwide in 2014, the highest number of deaths in one year since 2005, when 4,892 pedestrian fatalities occurred. While the 2015 numbers are still being finalized, officials say that early indicators are not looking good. Within the first nine months of 2015 there was a 9 percent increase in traffic fatalities, and officials say they expect the tally of pedestrian deaths for 2015 overall to be up from last year. Illinois has already seen many pedestrian fatalities in 2016, and state and national officials say there has been no better time to raise awareness and combat pedestrian fatalities. Why Are Pedestrian Deaths Increasing? State and national officials cite impaired or distracted drivers as one of the main causes behind the increase in deaths. Many communities have laws in place to combat distracted drivers, but many drivers unfortunately ignore those laws and continue dangerous habits like texting while driving. Poorly designed crosswalks and signals are also a factor in the increase of pedestrian fatalities. The Active Transportation Alliance says that many roads are built to move as much traffic as possible with little thought towards pedestrians. An Illinois law passed in 2010 requires that all drivers stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, but a survey conducted by the Alliance shows that many drivers are either unaware of the law or ignore it. Proposed solutions include changes to signal timing and countdowns, better signage at crosswalks, and concrete islands. Drivers and poorly marked crosswalks are not the only factors to blame, however. Officials have seen a significant increase in pedestrians texting, streaming videos, or using their smartphones and tablets while walking, making them oblivious to the dangers of walking near or attempting to cross a busy road. Some states, such as New Jersey, have even proposed penalties for distracted walking, but no such proposals have yet to be passed. Are You or a Loved One a Pedestrian Accident Victim?

Pedestrian accidents and deaths can occur on any road at any time. Even vehicles moving at slow speeds have the potential to cause serious bodily harm and even death. At the law offices of Salvi & Maher, LLP, our team of experienced Lake County personal injury attorneys has years of experience representing clients who have suffered due to negligent driving or wrongdoing. Let us help you through the recovery process and help you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call 847-622-3303 today to speak to a member of our team.

Sources:

http://www.dailyherald.com/article/20160516/news/160519100/

http://www.fox32chicago.com/news/local/141967921-story