Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog

More people will die in Illinois car accidents this year than last year, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation, which is pushing for safe driving through the upcoming New Year's holiday.

While it appears to be a safe bet that fewer fatal Chicago car accidents will be recorded -- 129 were recorded through Wednesday, compared to 141 during the same period a year ago -- the number of motorists killed in accidents statewide has already surpassed last year's all-time low.

Our Chicago injury lawyers wish each of you a safe and enjoyable New Year's holiday and encourage you to stay safe and don't drink and drive.

Last year, 911 people were killed in Illinois traffic accidents -- the fewest in almost a century of reporting. With the rebounding economy comes an increased risk of car accidents. So far this year, 916 motorists have been killed. The state is putting a positive spin on the increase by noting that it will likely be only the second time since the early 20th century that fewer than 1,000 traffic fatalities have been recorded in Illinois during any given year.

The New Year's weekend will see a continuation of the statewide "Click it or Ticket" and "You Drink & Drive. You Lose" campaigns. Hundreds of late-night roadside safety checks, safety belt enforcement zones and saturation patrols are also planned.

“IDOT continuously partners with state and local police to ensure motorists who choose to drive impaired are caught, arrested and removed from Illinois roadways,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “Unfortunately, New Year’s Eve can be one of the deadliest and most dangerous times on Illinois roads due to an increase in impaired driving and fewer people buckling up. We advise motorists to please make the right decision every time by designating a sober driver before celebrating and always buckling up.”

Particular emphasis will be put on increased enforcement during the deadly evening and nighttime hours.

"The Illinois State Police is fully committed to using every resource possible to make Illinois roads safer,” said Acting Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken. “Although the loss of even one life is one too many ... we are optimistic our holiday enforcement efforts will help Illinois conclude its second straight year with fewer than 1,000 fatalities.”

Last year, six people were killed on Illinois' roads during the four-day New Year's Holiday and nearly 500 were seriously injured.

IDOT offers the following safety tips:

-Plan ahead.

-Designate a sober driver.

-Use community programs designed to get you home safely.

-Report impaired drivers.

-Buckle Up.

Continue reading " Fewer Chicago car accidents this year but more motorists killed statewide " »

A man has died in an Illinois car vs. pedestrian collision that occurred on Monday around 7:30 a.m. on 92nd Street near Ewing Ave., WGN news is reporting. The pedestrian, a 70-year-old resident of the 8300 block of South Baker Avenue in Chicago had just been involved in a minor auto accident and had gotten out of his car to exchange information with another driver. At that time a 3rd vehicle that was passing the location fatally struck him.

The pedestrian victim was taken by ambulance to Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn where he was pronounced dead soon after.

The Chicago Police Department is handling the accident investigation. Police have ticketed the at-fault driver for failing to avoid striking a pedestrian.

It has not been reported if a Chicago injury lawyer is involved in the case.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in the year 2009 alone 113 pedestrians were killed in the State of Illinois. Of those that died, 23 pedestrians were age 65 and over. There were a total of 5,313 accidents in 2009 involving Illinois pedestrians.

A 25-year-old female passenger has been killed in an Illinois auto accident that occurred early Sunday on the near west side of Chicago, according to the Sun-Times. The single car crash took place in the 1600 block of West Harrison Street around 1:50 a.m.

The accident occurred when a 23-year-old male driver hit a tree. The driver is in critical condition at Stroger Hospital and another passenger, a four-year-old boy is in stable condition at University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital.

The female passenger that was fatally injured was taken to John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County and pronounced dead less than an hour later.

The Chicago Police Department's Major Accident Investigation Unit is handling the investigation. Charges are reportedly pending against the 23 year old driver.

The female that died in the accident is a resident of Fargo, North Dakota.

It has not been reported if a Chicago personal injury lawyer is involved in the case.

Click here to read the story as reported by the Chicago Tribune and WGN TV.

An Illinois auto accident has caused the death of a woman from Tinley Park, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center. The Chicago area motor vehicle accident took place on Wednesday in the 18800 block of South Oak Park Avenue. Details as to what caused the crash of not been reported.

The woman, age 30, who resides in the 16800 block of S. Cicero Ave. passed away around 8 PM on Thursday at Advocate Christ Medical Center in Oak Lawn, according to the Cook County medical examiner's office. An autopsy was scheduled to take place on Friday morning.

It has not been reported if a Chicago injury lawyer is involved in the case yet.

In other Illinois accident news, SJ-R.com is reporting that 15 people were injured in a downstate bus versus semi truck accident on Interstate 55 in Montgomery County early Wednesday morning. The bus driver, a 56-year-old Chicago man, was ticketed for failing to reduce the to avoid an accident. The bus driver and 13 passengers received medical treatment at St. Francis Hospital in Litchfield.

The Illinois State police are handling the investigation. They are reporting that the truck was merging onto Interstate 55 southbound when the bus hit the back of the trailer.

The National Safety Council is partnering with the Allstate Foundation to form a safe teen driving coalition in Illinois and nine other states in an effort to reduce the risk of car accidents in Chicago and elsewhere.

Our Chicago accident lawyers frequently report on the high risks faced by teen drivers on the road and we urge you to speak to your teenager about the importance of safe driving habits as we enter the start of the winter driving season and the holiday travel season.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that car accidents are the leading cause of death among teenagers ages 15 to 20. In 2008, a total of 5,864 teens in that age group were involved in fatal crashes. In Illinois, 164 people were killed in accidents involving teenagers, including 80 young drivers. Teens are at high risk for virtually every poor driving habit, including cell phone use and text messaging, distracted driving, speeding, failure to wear their seat belts, drunk driving and riding with too many young passengers in the vehicle.

“While our roads have never been safer, car crashes remain the No. 1 killer of all people from 1 to 34 years old, with teens crashing four times more often than any other age group. We must act now to create new social norms behind the wheel starting first with our youngest drivers,” said Joan H. Walker, senior vice president, Allstate Insurance Co. “With its long legacy of building safety coalitions, NSC is the ideal organization to lead new state efforts to change the teen driving culture.”

Coalitions are also being established in California, Florida, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and Texas. Participants will include law enforcement, public health officials, members of the media, teen and parent leaders and the family and friends of crash victims. The goal will be to identify and implement ways to change teen driving behaviors and attitudes.

Formation of the coalitions comes in the wake of the NSC's first Forum to Keep Teen Driver's Alive, which was held last month in Chicago.

“Funding from The Allstate Foundation allows NSC to develop a coordinated strategy for building effective state coalitions,” said Janet Froetscher, NSC president and CEO. “The coalitions will mobilize state leaders to find unique solutions to the teen driving issue and save young lives for generations to come.”

Continue reading " Teen driving coalition aims to reduce risk of Chicago car accidents involving young drivers " »

About one-eighth of the driving public drove drunk last year and 1 in 25 drove high on illegal drugs, according to a new report by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Our Chicago car accident lawyers continue to report on the dangers of accidents involving drivers under the influence, which were responsible for 42 percent of all fatal crashes in Illinois last year, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

The USA Today reports more than 30 million drivers drove under the influence of alcohol. Another 10 million drove under the influence of drugs.

“Thousands of people die each year as a result of drunk and drugged driving, and the lives of thousands of family members and friends left behind are forever scarred,” said SAMHSA Administrator Pamela S. Hyde, J.D. “Some progress has been made in reducing the levels of drunk and drugged driving through education, enhanced law enforcement and public outreach efforts. However, the nation must continue to work to prevent this menace and confront these dangerous drivers in an aggressive way.”

As we reported recently on our Chicago Injury Lawyer Blog, the government is growing increasingly vocal about the risk of impairment caused by drugs, whether illegal narcotics, prescription medication or over-the-counter products.

“While we have understood for some time the dangers of driving under the influence of alcohol, much less is known or discussed about drivers under the influence of other drugs,” said Gil Kerlikowske, Director of National Drug Control Policy. “This new data adds to other emerging research revealing that there is an alarmingly high percentage of Americans on our roadways with drugs in their system. At a time when drug use is on the rise, it is crucial that communities act today to address the threat of drugged driving as we work to employ more targeted enforcement and develop better tools to detect the presence of drugs among drivers.”

Among Illinois drivers over the age of 16, some 14.7 to 16.9 percent have driven drunk in the past year, according to the study. That puts Illinois and nine other states in the second-worst category. About one-fourth of drivers in 10 other states admitted to driving drunk during the past 12 months.

The report did find the overall rate of drunk driving declined slightly during the last decade, from 14.6 percent to 13.2 percent. Drugged driving declined from 4.8 percent to 4.3 percent.

"We can be pleasantly surprised that the numbers are going down," says Peter Delany, director of the Center for Behavioral Health Statistics and Quality. "That doesn't mean that they're great, but the numbers are going in the right direction. But it's not where we can rest on our laurels."

Continue reading " Holidays bring high risk of Chicago car accidents involving drugs or alcohol " »

Our Chicago injury lawyers urge you to use extra caution when the temperature drops even if snow isn’t falling because not all winter dangers are easily detectable.

Winter weather has arrived so it’s that time of year to drag out the shovels, grab the boots, and check the treads on the tires. As the temperature drops in the Midwest you need to prepare for those winter conditions that are likely to occur as a result. One danger of winter weather is the possibility of black ice. Chicago car accidents caused by black ice are particularly prevalent during the morning commute, when the roads may be clear but iced over from the long, cold night.

CBS Chicago reported that black ice began causing accidents in November. True to form, the black ice caused numerous crashes and road closures in the Chicago area. Black ice is so dangerous precisely because it is so difficult to see and can make treacherous roads that appear clear and safe for travel.

Black ice typically occurs when the temperature gets below 40 degrees. Road surfaces become cool and the frost or precipitation lying on the surface generates an icy texture which makes the conditions slippery. If you are driving in black ice conditions be extra careful if the snow begins to fall. Snow conditions are difficult enough to manage but adding ice underneath is almost sure to cause an accident if you aren’t careful.

Helpful driving tips for avoiding black ice accidents in Chicago include:

-Listen to the local weather and traffic to see what the conditions are in your area.

- If you see vehicles sliding ahead of you for no apparent reason, downshift and/or slow down before you get to them because they are probably experiencing black ice.

-Be particularly cautious on bridges and overpasses, which are frequently the first to freeze.

-If you start to skid, remain calm and go with the direction you are skidding rather than jerk the steering wheel around the other direction. When you feel the tires grip, slowly inch back in the other direction. Do not slam on the brakes as this may put you in an uncontrolled skid.

-Before winter approaches check the tread on your tires. The thicker the tread is the more traction gained so it may be advantageous to have a set of tires only used during the winter time.

-Don’t fall victim to the myth that SUV’s are top performers in all bad weather because no vehicle drives well on ice – slow down, especially if you own an SUV.

Continue reading " Black ice hard to detect in Chicago weather-related accidents " »

A 21-year-old Chicago resident was killed in a car crash that occurred in Rock County, Wisconsin on Sunday afternoon, according to JSOnline. The woman was riding as a passenger in a car being driven by a 48-year-old Chicagoan on Interstate 39. The motorist was allegedly driving too fast for weather conditions, drove into a median and then hit some trees.

The traffic accident occured just before 2 PM and the interstate was reportedly very icy at the time of the accident. The 21-year-old Chicago victim was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver and another passenger, age 17, were taken to Mercy Hospital in Janesville for medical treatment. Their injuries are supposed to be non-life-threatening.

The Wisconsin State Patrol handled the accident investigation

State authorities in Wisconsin urged motorists to stay off the highways if possible on Sunday because of hazardous travel conditions. Several highways were closed in different parts of the State due to severe winter weather. There was a seven car accident on I-94 that shut down the interstate for 3 1/2 hours.

In East St. Louis, Illinois a pedestrian versus motor vehicle accident has resulted in the death of a woman. BND.com is reporting that the collision occurred shortly after 1 AM on Sunday at the intersection of 26 Street and Cleveland Avenue. Police are asking for help as they are still trying to figure out what happened.

The victim has been identified as a 56-year-old East St. Louis resident. It is believed she was going home from the store when the accident occurred. After the collision, the driver involved fled the scene of the accident.

The East St. Louis Police Department is searching for someone in the area that was driving a light-colored SUV. Anyone with information pertaining to the accident should immediately contact police. Call either the East St. Louis Police Department at 482-6700, the Illinois state police at 346-3990 or call Crimestoppers at 866-371-Tips. Crimestopper tips are anonymous and can pay up to $1,000.

The results are in for the 2010 Traffic Safety Culture Index, which is published each year by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety.

Our Chicago car accident attorneys publish the results of the report each year, as it offers a glimpse into how the general public feels about important safety issues, such as drunk driving and distracted driving. This year's report opens with the most sobering statistic of all -- more than 1 million motorists have been killed in traffic crashes in the United States in the last 25 years. Car accidents are the leading cause of death for those under the age of 34.

This is the 5th year of the cultural index, which has given safety advocates an enlightened view of the opinions of the general public, which have not always shown concern for some of the pressing safety issues of the day.

"On the other hand, this survey also highlights some aspects of the current traffic safety culture
that might be characterized most appropriately as a culture of indifference, where drivers
effectively say 'do as I say, not as I do,'" the report states. "For example, substantial numbers of drivers say that it is completely unacceptable to text message or talk on a cell phone while driving, yet admit to doing so anyway."

Among the findings:

-Half of Americans have been involved in a serious crash or have had a relative or friend who has been involved in a serious crash.

-More than half of all drivers report feeling less safe than five years ago -- up 17 percent from last year. Nearly half cite driver distraction as the main reason for feeling less safe.

-Drivers view drinking and driving as a primary threat and fewer than 2 percent admit to drinking and driving in the last month.

-More than two-thirds of Americans support ignition interlock devices for first-time DUI offenders and there is almost universal support for requiring the devices for repeat offenders.

-Two-thirds of drivers admit to talking on their phone while driving in the last month.

-Most driver view texting and emailing while driving as a serious threat to their personal safety, however, about one-fourth of drivers admit to texting and driving.

-Two-thirds support restricting hand-held cell phones while driving.

-Nearly half of drivers admit to driving 15 mph or more over the speed limit on the freeway in the last month. One-third consider it acceptable to do so.

-Most drivers view running red lights as unacceptable but about one-third admit to doing so in the past month.

-Most drivers view drowsy driving as a serious threat, yet 1 in 4 admit to driving while so tired they could barely keep their eyes open at some point in the last month.

-Two-thirds support primary seat-belt laws. Three-quarters of motorists say they always buckle up.

Continue reading " Motorists' opinions can be a factor in reducing risk of Chicago car accidents " »

Chicago personal injury lawyer David Abels pictured with Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White at the
Chicago Bulls vs. the Los Angeles Lakers game on December 10 (the Bulls won 88-84).

Click here to read safety tips from the Secretary of State's Office on how to avoid Illinois car crashes.

Our Chicago car accident lawyers frequently report on the dangers motorists face as a result of distracted driving, particularly cell phone use and text messaging while behind the wheel. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports 5,474 motorists were killed and nearly 450,000 were injured last year in car accidents caused by distracted driving.

The National Safety Council opened December by launching a push for a nationwide ban on cell phone use by drivers. The Itasca, Illinois safety organization claims a recent survey found such a ban would be supported by two-thirds of voters.

Car accidents in Chicago have been reduced in the years since the city outlawed hand-held cell phone use by drivers. Meanwhile, two new laws were enacted in Illinois this year which make it illegal to text message while driving or to use hand-held cell phones in schools zones and construction sites. Fines for violations start at $75.

But it is precisely such patchwork legislation that the NSC aims to end by pushing for a nationwide ban. The organization also contends that using hands-free devices are no safer. Only eight states ban the use of all hand-held cell phones by drivers and no state bans the use of phones completely.

The organization said phones are a factor in 1.3 million crashes a year and half of 2,424 respondents to a recent survey said they believe a nationwide ban would increase highway safety "a great deal." While texting by drivers is now outlawed in 30 states, the NSC reports that cell phone conversations are involved in 12 times as many crashes as text messaging.

“The public is fed up with their safety being jeopardized because of phone calls,” said David Teater, senior director of Transportation Initiatives for NSC. “It is our hope that elected officials realize the strong public support for laws, and that they are quickly passed to protect motorists and others on our roadways.”

Early this year, the federal government conducted pilot enforcement programs of cell phone laws in Hartford Connecticut and Syracuse, New York. The year-long campaigns found it is possible to enforce such bans in a manner similar to "Click it or Ticket" seat-belt enforcement campaigns. The enforcement effort led to a reduction of as much as 50 percent in driver cell phone use.

Continue reading " Illinois safety advocates call for nationwide cell phone ban to reduce car accidents " »

For the second time in the last few months, a CTA bus crash has resulted in injuries on Lake Shore Drive in Chicago, according to Fox news. The accident has injured five people, three of which were children. The incident occurred Wednesday evening around 6:30 PM near LSD and 43rd St.

The accident involved a number 6 Jackson Park express bus and one other vehicle. What caused the accident has not yet been reported, however the passenger vehicle was allegedly in back of the CTA vehicle and then struck the left side of the bus.

Five people involved in the accident were hospitalized. Three children were transported by ambulance to University of Chicago Comer Children's Hospital, reportedly in good condition. Two adults were transported to Mercy Hospital and Medical Center in good condition.

12 people refused medical care. City officials did not say whether the injured were passengers on the CTA bus or in the other vehicle.

Chicago bus accident attorneys at Abels & Annes are currently representing an individual that was injured in October's CTA bus accident on South Lake Shore Drive. In that crash, a bus driver lost control, drove off the roadway and crashed. 37 people were injured in the accident.

The Chicago Police Department issued a press release last week stating that to try to reduce Illinois auto accidents, it's DUI strike force patrol would hit the streets over the weekend for the second time in recent weeks. The patrol was to take place in the Ogden District from 8 PM on Friday until 4 AM on Saturday.

Police say the intention of the program is to saturate an area of the City with police officers constantly monitoring traffic for signs of intoxicated drivers. They were to look for speeders, seat-belt violators, and alcohol-related violations. The Chicago Police Department also stated they would be patrolling with a portable breath alcohol testing unit to expedite the process of charging a driver with DUI.

The DUI strike force patrol worked the Jefferson Park (16th) District on November 19-20, 2010. At that time they issued the following numbers of citations:

DUI: 1
Open Liquor: 2
Insurance Violations: 15
Occupant Protection: 4
Drivers License Violations: 12
City Sticker Violations: 11
Speeding: 0
Traffic Violations (other): 14

If you have been injured by an impaired driver in Illinois, contact a Chicago auto accident attorney at Abels and Annes for a free consultation. Contact us online or call 312-924-7575 to speak directly to an Illinois injury lawyer.

Click here to read the December 2, 2010 Chicago Police Department press release.

The National Safety Council reports that Older Driver Safety Awareness Week runs from December 6-10 and is encouraging families to speak with older loved ones about the importance of safe driving in reducing the risk of Chicago car accidents.

Our Chicago personal injury lawyers encourage families to make discussing the issue a part of their holiday plans with friends and family. The subject of safe driving among older adults is a critical safety issue that will grow exponentially in the coming years with the retirement of the baby boomers.

The number of drivers over the age of 65 is expected to grow 70 percent over the next 20 years, a growth rate that will eclipse all age groups except teenagers. It's a sobering statistic that could result in the deaths of up to 100,000 older motorists over the next two decades.

Older Driver Safety Awareness Weeks is being sponsored by the American Occupational Therapy Association as a chance for the children and loved ones to discuss the issue with older drivers. For many, it can be a difficult conversation to start; a recent survey found children would rather talk to parents about funeral plans than about taking away the car keys.

The USA Today recently reported that most older adults will outlive their driving abilities, men by about six years and women by an average of 10 years. Fatality rates begin to increase at about age 75 and drivers over the age of 85 have a worse safety record than teenagers, who are typically considered to be the most dangerous drivers on the road.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that the number of licensed older drivers has increased 19 percent to 31 million in the last decade. More than 183,000 older drivers were involved in car accidents in 2008. More than two-thirds of those accidents happened during daylight hours and during the week.

Illinois car accidents claimed the lives of 163 older drivers, including 92 who were over the age of 75 and 30 who were over the age of 85.

The NSC provides the following tips for speaking to an older loved one:

-Take rides with an older driver and observe with an open mind.

-Notice any reluctance to drive on the part of an older driver.

-Watch for slowed reaction times.

-Pay attention to an older driver's awareness of surroundings.

-Check the vehicle for signs of damage (when the older driver is not present).

-Check with an older driver's friends and neighbors for observations.

Continue reading " Older Driver Safety Awareness Week aims to reduce risk of Chicago car accidents " »

Two different Chicago car crashes that occurred on the South Side and the West Side on Saturday morning have claimed the lives of two people, according to the Chicago Breaking News Center.

The first deadly Chicago auto accident took place around 5:20 AM in the 3800 block of S. Ashland Ave. A 21-year-old driver in a white Oldsmobile Delta 88 traveling with two passengers hit a median, spun out of control and then hit a viaduct pillar. The driver, a South side resident, was pronounced dead a short time later at Stroger Hospital.

One of the passengers was also taken to Cook County Hospital, but his condition has not been reported. There is also no word if the other passenger was injured.

The second crash took place about an hour later in the 4400 block of W. Lake Street. In that collision, the driver struck a fixed object. The motorist was pronounced dead at Mount Sinai Hospital just before 8 AM. The police did not provide further details as to how the accident occurred.

Chicago road conditions would have been poor at the time of both accidents due to a recent snowfall. The 2 collisions were investigated by the Chicago Police Department.

As December begins, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced that the state is on the verge of reporting fewer than 1,000 traffic fatalities for the second year in a row. Last year was the first time since 1921 that fewer than 1,000 motorists were killed on the state's roads.

Fewer Chicago car accidents is part of the reason. Through November, 124 fatal car accidents have been reported in Chicago, compared to 141 during the same period last year and 156 through the first 11 months of 2008.

As our Chicago injury lawyers have reported, much of the reduction has been the result of high unemployment, the slow economy and less road congestion. In fact, there is some evidence that fatalities have begun to rise again with the economic recovery. So far this year there have been 855 fatalities, 17 more than the 838 reported statewide through the first 11 months of last year.

That's part of the reason traffic safety efforts are expected to be intense through the holiday season, which began with a host of traffic enforcement initiatives on Thanksgiving weekend, including 2,000 seat belt enforcement zones, 68 roadside safety checkpoints and more than 1,000 additional patrols.

“The partnership between IDOT, state and local law enforcement exemplifies our collective commitment and dedication to traffic safety in Illinois,” said Illinois Transportation Secretary Gary Hannig. “We strongly urge all drivers and passengers to continue to buckle-up, properly secure your child in the appropriate safety seat, never drink and drive and please silence or place your cell phone in the glove compartment before driving.”

Speeding, distracted driving, failure to wear seat belts, drunk driving, drowsy driving and aggressive driving are among the most common causes of serious or fatal accidents. As the holiday coincides with the start of the winter driving season, authorities are also urging motorists to have their cars serviced, to allow for extra time to reach their destinations, and to make other accommodations for bad weather and poor driving conditions.

Continue reading " For second year in a row, the push is on to reduce fatal car accidents in Chicago, throughout Illinois " »

A deadly Southern Illinois car crash that occurred back on May 8, 2010 has resulted in a motorist being charged with aggravated DUI, according to TheTelegraph.com. The 30-year-old driver, a resident of Carlinville, Illinois, has been charged with an information that was filed in Macoupin County Circuit Court. A judge has set bond at $100,000.

The charges allege that the defendant was driving a 2007 Chevy Malibu eastbound on Illinois Route 108 when he drove off the road and rolled the vehicle several times. Four occupants in the car were ejected and one of the passengers, a 27-year-old Bethalto resident, died at the scene.

The driver and two other passengers were taken by ambulance to Memorial Medical Center in Springfield. The extent of their injuries have not been reported.

Police were initially unsure as to who was driving the vehicle. After investigation by the Illinois State Police (District 18) and the Macoupin County Sheriff's Department, they determined that the defendant was driving. The facts that led to that determination were not reported.

It was also not reported whether an Illinois car crash lawyer is involved in the case or if a wrongful death lawsuit has been filed by the victim's family against the driver.

Authorities are urging motorists to be prepared for snow, ice, and other poor driving conditions. Winter weather is a frequent cause of Chicago car accident, particularly at the start of the winter driving season.

The Illinois Department of Transportation reports that 173 motorists were killed and more than 17,000 were injured in accidents on wet, icy or snowy roads last year.

"Motorists should plan ahead and provide sufficient time to reach their destination, slow down, buckle-up and eliminate all potential distractions in their vehicle before driving." IDOT Secretary Gary Hannig said. "Safety is the number one priority at IDOT and it is never compromised.”

The Illinois State Police also reminds motorists to use caution and to move over or slow down for stopped emergency vehicles.

"During the winter months, motorists can help protect those who work to keep our roads safe, by yielding to emergency vehicles. The Move Over law requires drivers to change lanes, or reduce speed and proceed with caution when approaching stationary emergency vehicles displaying flashing warning lights," said Illinois State Police Acting Director Jonathon Monken. "Reducing speed, avoiding distractions, and practicing safe driving habits are crucial in the winter months. There is simply less room for error during inclement weather."

The highway department reports that completed construction projects should provide some relief from congestion and better road conditions. But reminds drivers to be prepared for poor conditions and to watch out for snow-removal equipment.

"We still encourage drivers to be prepared for winter conditions, use caution and watch out for snow plows and other crews working to clear the way," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Kristi Lafleur.

Illinois Safe Driving Tips Include:

-Give plows plenty of space. Plow operators typically have a limited field of vision and may not see you.

-Beware of black ice. Take it easy at intersections, off-ramps, bridges and in other areas prone to ice buildup.

-Keep your gas tank at least two-thirds full.

-Avoid travel when possible.

-Carry an emergency car kit that includes jumper cables, reflectors or road flares, windshield washer fluid, ice scraper, sand or other traction material, blankets, food items and a first-aid kit.

-Always carry your cell phone.

-Wear your seat belt.

-Have your car serviced.

-Keep tires in good repair.

Continue reading " Safe winter driving can reduce risk of Chicago car accidents " »