The latest national statistics reveal an alarming spike in the number of traffic deaths each year. For the first time in 50 years, the number of people killed in traffic accidents in 2016 increased by almost 10% over the previous year. There were more than 40,000 people killed.
The primary reason for these fatal accidents, according to the data provided by the National Safety Council, is distracted driving.
Safety advocates say that distracted driving has become an epidemic. Despite the known dangers of this type of driving behavior, people still continue to talk and text while driving putting themselves and their passengers in danger.
Compounding these dangers are all the options smartphones now offer besides just talking and texting. Many drivers are reading and sending emails, accessing their social media accounts and other apps, and surfing the web – all while behind the wheel of a vehicle.
Distracted driving
One of the main reasons why distracted driving accidents continue to increase instead of decrease is because it is still considered socially acceptable, so people do not think twice about it when they reach for their electronic device. Advocates say the key to getting people to put their phones down is to make it socially unacceptable.
For decades, drunk driving was one of the top causes of traffic deaths. Mostly, the majority of people never thought twice about getting in their vehicles if they had been drinking.
That has all changed, however, with years of campaigns warning about the dangers of drunk driving. This was helped, as well, with the passage of strict drunk driving laws. Once drivers got the message, and drunk driving became an unacceptable behavior, the number of traffic deaths began to decrease.
Tragically, distracted driving is sending the number of victims up again. Illinois has passed stricter distracted driving laws, including hand-held cell phone laws and harsher penalties. However the increase in traffic fatalities for the state was 12%.
Illinois proposals to prevent traffic deaths
Lawmakers in Illinois are trying to come up with solutions to get the message out to stop cell phone driving.
Proposals include the use of a device called a totalizer which checks to see if a person was using their phone when the crash occurred, as well as the requirement of vehicle safety features such as automatic collision avoidance systems and adaptive headlights.
Contact us today if injured by a distracted driver. Our office hours range from 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, and we also answer our phones at 844-977-1900 24/7. You can reach us through our online form or our LiveChat service. So don’t wait! We look forward to hearing from you.