There are nearly 3 million drivers on the road in Cook County daily, and with that comes the increased risk of car accidents. Each day, thousands of cars get into accidents or commit traffic violations leading to hundreds of vehicle accidents.
But what causes the most car accidents? Looking at data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Illinois Department of Transportation, and Chicago’s information, here are the top 5 causes of car accidents in Chicago.
Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving is the number one cause of car accidents not only in Chicago, but nationwide. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that distracted driving accounts for 11% of all traffic crashes.
The most common culprit of distracted driving is cell phone use. This includes calling and texting.
While Illinois has a hands-free law on the books, there were still nearly 3500 car accidents due to distracted drivers using cell phones. A 2020 study revealed that Chicago had the highest number of distracted driving fatalities in the nation. The 111 deaths were triple the number of New York City.
It should be noted that a driver taking their eyes off the road for just five seconds at 55 mph travels the length of a football field blind.
Not only do you need to be careful on the road, but you also need to watch out for other distracted drivers near you.
Speeding
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, “crashes involving speed accounted for 31.8% of total crashes, 43.8% of fatal crashes, and 36.7% of injury crashes.” That’s one-third of all types of car accidents caused by speeding.
Because of the higher traffic density and number of pedestrians, Chicagoans face a higher risk of speeding-related accidents and injuries. Between 2017 and 2021, speed was a leading factor in 46% of fatal crashes in the Chicagoland region.
With 162 speed cameras around the city, drivers received over 2 million tickets, nearly 6,000 of which were issued daily.
Just know that the risk of a fatality as a result of a speeding accident increases doubles when a car is moving 30 MPH over 20 MPH.
Drunk and Impaired Driving
Drunk driving accidents killed over 294 people in 2023 across Illinois, making up around 23% of all fatal car accidents. These numbers tend to spike around holidays, weekends, and late nights.
According to the NHTSA, drivers with a BAC of .08 are approximately 4 times more likely to crash than drivers who haven’t drank. Increase the BAC to .15, drivers are at least 12 times more likely to crash.
Reckless Driving
Red light cameras currently enforce the laws on 149 intersections across Chicago. Reckless driving includes aggressive lane changes, running red lights, ignoring stopsigns, tailgating, and weaving through traffic.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reports that 50% of fatal intersection crashes involve red-light violations.
In Chicago, there were over 30,000 accidents resulting from running red lights, and ignoring stop signs. Reckless drivers caused 84% of all traffic-related deaths in Chicago.
Poor Weather Conditions
Cook County is known for its ever-changing weather patterns and difficult driving conditions, so it’s no wonder that poor weather causes thousands of car accidents annually.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reports that 21% of all car crashes nationwide are weather-related. Considering that wet pavement can increase stopping distance by up to 40%, it’s clear that weather plays a significant role in driver safety.
Stay Safe While Driving in Cook County
Understanding these common causes can help you make safer decisions and reduce the risk of an accident.
Here are a few tips:
- Put your phone down and focus on the road.
- Follow speed limits
- Never drink and drive
- Use a rideshare or designated driver
- Obey traffic signals
- Be cautious in bad weather
- Watch for pedestrians and cyclists
Injured in a Chicago Car Accident? FLT Law Can Help.
Even the safest drivers can fall victim to someone else’s negligence. If you or a loved one has been injured in a car accident, FLT Law is here to fight for your rights.
Don’t let an accident derail your life. Contact FLT Law today for a free consultation, and let us help you secure the compensation you deserve.
