Highest Risk of Fatal Crash for Motorcyclists, Children, Teen Drivers, and Drunk Drivers
In the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety (AHAS) “17th Annual Roadmap of State Highway Safety Laws” (“Roadmap Report”), as discussed in our previous post, Indiana and Illinois traffic fatality statistics were studied in order to find who faces the highest risk of a fatal motor vehicle accident in our part of the country.
Illinois: Highest Risk of Death in Deadly Crash
According to AHAS, there are three groups of people who face the greatest risk of dying in a collision in the State of Illinois. They are: (1) Motorcyclists; (2) Child Passengers; and (3) Teen Drivers. Roadway Report, p. 42.
Indiana: Highest Risk of Death in Fatal Accident
The Roadmap Report research findings for the Hoosier State found the following individuals face the highest risk of perishing in a traffic accident: (1) Motorcyclists; (2) Infant Passengers; (3) Child Passengers; (4) Teen Drivers; and (5) Drunk Drivers. Roadway Report, p. 43.
Those Facing Highest Risk of Dying in a Motor Vehicle Accident
From the Roadmap Report, we know that certain categories of people are more likely to perish in a motor vehicle accident in Illinois or Indiana. Specifically, they are:
1. Motorcyclists
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), using data collected by the federal government’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS): “Motorcycle deaths accounted for 14 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths in 2018 and were more than double the number of motorcyclist deaths in 1997.”
The IIHS also reveals a curious finding regarding the use of motorcycle helmets by both drivers and passengers: “In 2018, 60 percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were helmeted. Helmet use was lower, at 51 percent, for people killed as passengers on motorcycles.”
Helmet Laws
Currently, Indiana and Illinois are in the minority of states insofar as requiring motorcyclists (drivers and passengers) to wear helmets. While the Roadway Report advocates for these laws to be changed, there are others who argue that motorcycle helmets have their own dangers in the event of a crash. See, e.g., Helmets: Limited Protection of the Head and Brain from Serious Injury or Death
For more, read:
- Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Indiana and Illinois: How Great is the Danger?
- Motorcycle Accident in Indiana or Illinois: Risk of Death or Serious Injury in a Motorcycle Crash
- Motorcycle Accidents in Indiana: Consider Just This Month ….
2. Infant and Child Passengers
Obviously, having any baby or small child die in a motor vehicle accident is a tragedy. However, the growing trend of children dying in preventable accidents involving traffic collisions is horrific and unacceptable.
Motor vehicle injuries are a leading cause of death among children in the United States. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more children between the ages of 5 to 19 die from crash-related injuries than from any other type of injury.
Safety advocates agree that proper restraint for all infant and child passengers is the key to keeping kids safer while they are being transported in a motor vehicle. This includes not only infant car seats, but booster seats for children as old as 13, and seat belts for tweens and teens.
Child Restraint Laws
Currently, Illinois and Indiana do not maximize child passenger restraints as extensively as other states do (e.g., neither has passed a booster seat law.) The recommendations of the Roadmap Report, if enacted, might serve to save lives of infants and children who are passengers in a serious crash.
For more, read: “The Primary Cause of Fatal Child Pedestrian Accidents is the Vehicle” and “Danger of Fatal Child Pedestrian Accidents as Kids Go Back to School.”
3. Teen Drivers
Long before individuals reach the legal age of majority (become “adults” under state law), they are able to drive cars, pickups, SUVs, and minivans as well as motorcycles here in Indiana and Illinois. However, teen drivers are also in the riskiest category for fatal motor vehicle accidents.
Why are teen drivers at such a high risk of dying in a crash? The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety reports there are three (3) things that result in most deadly teen driver accidents:
- speeding (28%);
- driving under the influence of alcohol (17%); and
- driver distraction (9%).
Laws for Licensing and Monitoring of Teen Drivers
Both Illinois and Indiana have specific statutes that detail how youngsters can get valid licenses to operate a motor vehicle. Other established safety procedures in both states include teen driver education courses and of course, the supervision of the teen driver by their parents. However, the Roadmap Report’s suggestions of things like a minimum age of 16 years before any teen can take the wheel in either Indiana or Illinois might work to save teen driver lives, if for no other reason than the law would keep some teen drivers off the road until their 16th birthday.
For more, read:
- Teen Drivers and Fatal Car Accidents: High Risk in Indiana and Illinois
- Teen Driver Accidents: Causes and Consequences
- Fatal Teen Driver Accidents: New Teen Driving Safety Technology.
4. Drunk Drivers
Finally, the Roadmap Report points to Indiana drivers who operate their motor vehicles under the influence of alcohol as being at high risk of death in a crash. It’s blatantly clear that anyone driving drunk is putting their life at risk – as well as others sharing the roads with them. The Roadmap Report’s suggestion of ignition interlocks for all drunk driving offenders would help to prevent DUI drivers from perishing in an accident.
For more, read:
- How Many Drunk Drivers Are There in Indiana and Illinois? The Danger of Drunk Driving Accidents Is High
- Drunk Driving Accidents in Indiana and Illinois: Danger of a Fatal DUI Crash
- Drunk Driving Accident: Who’s Legally Liable? Answer is Different for Indiana and Illinois
- Factors in Drunk Driving Fatal Car Crashes in Indiana and Illinois.
Victim’s Claims for Justice after a Fatal Crash in Indiana and Illinois
Any attempt to prevent death or serious injury in a motor vehicle crash on Indiana or Illinois roads is to be respected. The efforts of the AHAS’ Roadmap Report work to encourage future safety legislation in both Indiana and Illinois.
The Roadmap Report also serves to warn those at particular risk of death in a crash here in our part of the country where child passengers, teen drivers, drunk drivers, and motorcyclists face an especially high danger of fatality. It is important for all of us to be aware of these dangers — and to act in ways to protect these most vulnerable segments of our community.
Children, teen drivers, motorcyclists, and drunk drivers face the highest risk of death on our state roadways. Please be careful out there!
