Traffic Deaths Spiked In Illinois During Pandemic

ILLINOIS — Despite lockdowns keeping many motorists off the roads, 2020 was the deadliest year for Illinois drivers since 2007, according to provisional numbers first reported by the Chicago Tribune. Officials said the pandemic may be to blame.

State transportation officials told the paper that less crowded roads don't necessarily mean safer roads if motorists think they can drive more recklessly without consequences. Police say people are more likely to speed when there is less traffic and less traffic enforcement — state police wrote 20,000 fewer speeding tickets in 2020 than in 2019.

An estimated 1,166 people died in automobile crashes in the state in 2020, transportation officials told the Tribune — the highest number reported in more than a decade and about 16 percent higher than the previous year.

According to Top Driver, one of the country's largest driving schools, most Illinois crash deaths happen on city streets, not interstate highways. As of July, about a quarter of traffic fatalities involved pedestrians. About the same number more involved unlicensed drivers. And more than a third involved drivers who were not wearing their seatbelts.

The City of Chicago in January lowered its threshold for automated speed enforcement "in response to an alarming increase in vehicle speeding and traffic fatalities," according to a news release from the mayor's office. Starting March 1, anyone caught on traffic camera driving 6 to 10 mph over the speed limit will be hit with a $35 fine. More than 11 mph over the speed limit is a $100 fine. According to the city, traffic fatalities spiked 35 percent during the pandemic.

"There is something to be said about traffic congestion — it helps maintain or decrease speed," according to Top Driver's website. "Decreased traffic has given Illinois drivers a false sense of security. Drivers perceive the open roads to be safe and think increased speed is okay, but this isn’t the case. If it were, we wouldn’t see an increase in fatalities. Before you embark upon your next cross country trip or even just a short commute to work, slow down and remain self-aware. Due diligence and proactive driving can not only keep you safe, but also allow healthcare workers to focus on treating ill patients instead of a preventable car crash."

As of February 16, there have been 70 fatal crashes and 77 total fatalities in Illinois in 2021. That's 31 fewer deaths than this time last year, according to data from the Illinois Department of Transportation. In keeping with last year's trend, most deaths this year have also occurred on city streets, transportation officials said.

2021 crash fatality statistics (so far):

• Interstate: 16
• State-U.S. Routes: 18
• City streets: 26
• County-township: 15

Crash fatality statistics 2016-2019:

• 2019
  • Fatalities: 1,009
  • Fatal crashes: 938
  • Seat belt used: 315
  • Seat belt not used or improperly used: 263
  • Unlicensed drivers: 186
• 2018
  • Fatalities: 1,035
  • Fatal crashes: 951
  • Seat belt used: 334
  • Seat belt not used or improperly used: 261
  • Unlicensed drivers: 157
• 2017
  • Fatalities: 1,090
  • Fatal crashes: 998
  • Seat belt used: 351
  • Seat belt not used or improperly used: 270
  • Unlicensed drivers: 193
• 2016
  • Fatalities: 1,078
  • Fatal crashes: 1,000
  • Seat belt used: 363
  • Seat belt not used or improperly used: 268
  • Unlicensed drivers: 173