Chicago Accident Lawyer Blog

The Chicago Sun-Times reports that traffic fatalities are up 9% over this time last year. So far this year in Illinois there have been 533 traffic fatalities on the streets, roads and highways of Illinois. Of these, 156 were killed in alcohol related crashes. In 143 of the fatal crashes, a seat belt was not used. In 110 of the fatal crashes, drivers were involved who were without a valid drivers license or no license at all.

According to Illinois Department of Transportation Secretary Ann Schneider: “distracted driving is playing a role.” Schneider notes that despite attempts to make the public aware of the dangers of distracted driving, about 10 percent of the state’s traffic deaths are linked to distracted driving such as texting and driving.

Adding to the number of traffic fatalities was a 70% increase in motorcycle fatalities. The spike in motorcycle fatalities is a nationwide trend that many experts link to the abnormally warm weather during the spring that brought more riders out. To decrease motorcycle deaths, the Illinois State police have announced Operation Rogue Rider which target reckless motorcycle riders on the highways and asks motorists to call police if you spot reckless motorcycle drivers.

The Chicago Tribune reported that a road-rage incident in Naperville, Illinois led to the death of a motorcyclist who was not involved in the road-rage argument. Micheal J. Moreno and the passenger of a 16 year old’s car became engaged in an argument. Moreno and the 16 year old driver then continued chasing each other and cutting each other off. This reckless driving continued for a half a mile until Moreno made a sudden left turn and struck the motorcycle driven by Gerald W. Puglise, who died at the scene. Martin attempted to flee from the scene but was caught by police a short distance from the scene of the crash. Moreno was charged with aggravated DUI, aggravated reckless driving and leaving the scene of an accident involving death. Moreno’s bond was set at $750,000,00.

Road-rage injuries are more common than most people are aware. A study conducted by the American Automobile Association found that almost 13,000 people were injured in road rage incidents between 1990 and 1997. Strikingly, out of the almost 13,000 incidents, only 413 involved female drivers. The typical aggressive driver is a younger male with a poor education and a history of criminal activity, and drug and alcohol problems according to the study.

AAA recommends that if an aggressive driver tries start a fight, do not make eye contact and try not to acknowledge the hostile driver. If the aggressive driver continues to chase you, go to a place with lots of people and call the police.

CNN reports that in a landmark case, Massachusetts teenager, Aaron Deveau, 18, was convicted of vehicular homicide as a result of texting and driving and was sentenced to one year in prison. The prosecutor told jurors that Deveau, then 17, was texting when his car smashed head on into the car of Donald Bowley, killing the father of three and seriously injuring his passenger. Cell phone records introduced into evidence showed that Deveau sent and received 193 texts on the day of the fatal crash. The prosecutor argued that the records show that Deveau must have been texting at the time of the crash since he sent a text shortly before impact. The Defendant maintained that he was not texting but was tired and was thinking about homework and that caused him to become distracted and cross the center line. The jury found him guilty of vehicular homicide, negligent operation of a motor vehicle, and texting while driving.

The serious dangers of texting and driving were pointed out in a study conducted by University of Utah professor, David Strayer. His research demonstrated that texting while driving was by far the most dangerous distraction that drivers regularly engage in. He found that texting while driving was twice as dangerous as driving while drunk.

Currently, Illinois law prohibits drivers from texting and driving. Illinois Vehicle Code at 625 ILCS 5/12-610.2 states a driver cannot text, instant message, email, or surf the web while driving. However, this is only a petty offense in Illinois and has a penalty of fine only. The maximum fine is $1,000.00.