NSC: “Alarming Rise” in Roadway Death Rates during COVID-19 Quarantines
The Coronavirus Pandemic resulted in Executive Orders being issued by both Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker and Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb, where Stay-at-Home Quarantines were imposed for most of us living and working in the States of Illinois and Indiana.
Stay-at-Home Orders and Roadways in Indiana and Illinois
With Stay-at-Home Orders in place, we have had less need to drive our cars, trucks, and SUVs. When we do venture out, the roadways are obviously less crowded. In fact, the roads are so empty during the COVID-19 Crisis that the Indiana Department of Transportation is taking advantage of “lower traffic volumes” for “comprehensive highway maintenance.” Similarly, Illinois’ contractors are invited to “self-accelerate” their road projects because of the lower traffic volume, and the state is allowing them to have lanes available for their work for longer hours during the day.
All the roads in both Illinois and Indiana remain open. Neither state is requiring any type of special documentation to travel on state roadways. Existing speed limits and other traffic laws are being enforced as always.
Given the lower traffic in both Indiana and Illinois because of the state Stay-at-Home orders, it would seem that our roads are safer for anyone who does drive during the COVID-19 Quarantines, right? Wrong.
Skyrocketing Risk of Death on Our Roads, Warns National Safety Council
The internationally renowned National Safety Council (NSC) of Itasca, Illinois, issued a safety warning this week. See, “Motor Vehicle Fatality Rates Jump 14% in March Despite Quarantines,” published by the NSC on May 20, 2020.
NSC: Alarming Increase as Roadway Fatality Rate Jumps 14%
While people in Indiana, Illinois, and the rest of the country are driving their motor vehicles less, the NSC reports that the fatality rate per mile driven has jumped 14% in March 2020 (compared to March 2019). Moreover, Illinois was singled out as one of the states having the highest rise in roadway fatalities for the first three months of the year. It is an “alarming” increase, according to the researchers.
What is causing this unexpected jump in roadway death rates here in Illinois, Indiana, and the rest of the country? Experts point to two contributing factors: people are ignoring the posted speed limits, and speeding – sometimes at excessive rates of speed; and drivers are operating their vehicles in a reckless manner.
Explains NSC President Lorraine Martin: “Disturbingly, we have open lanes of traffic and an apparent open season on reckless driving.”
Speeding Is Increasing the Chance of a Fatal Crash
Across the country, there are more and more reports of people choosing to exceed the speed limits. See, “Fatality Rate Rises 14% as Drivers Speed Through Sparse Traffic,” written by Ryan Beene and published by Bloomberg on May 19, 2020.
In a recent interview, NSC’s Lorraine Martin explained that open traffic lanes apparently invite many drivers to hit the gas. Chicago officials confirmed a corresponding uptick in speeding in the Chicago metropolitan area. For details, read “Illinois Traffic Deaths On the Rise in 2020, Safety Group Warns,” written by Nick Blumberg and published by WTTW-TV on May 20, 2020.
Indiana State Police are reporting Hoosiers driving over 100 mph on Indiana roadways during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Read, “Empty Roads Bringing Out The Worst In Drivers, Speeding Spikes Across The State,” written by Jordan Kudisch and published by WTHI-TV on April 28, 2020.
Despite less traffic on the roads, anyone driving a motor vehicle over the speed limit in Indiana or Illinois, especially at high speeds (e.g., 100+ mph) is risking a deadly crash. Speeding kills.
For more, read our discussion in:
- Speeding Kills: Driving Over the Speed Limit Still Causes Too Many Fatal Crashes in Indiana and Illinois
- Speeding Causes Almost Half of All Fatal Car Crashes in Illinois (Around 25% in Indiana)
- Speeding and Serious or Fatal Semi-Truck Crashes in Illinois or Indiana
- Speed Limit Increase to 70 MPH in Illinois May Become Law Soon. Who Feels Safer?
Reckless Driving Also a Factor in Greater Risk of Deadly Accident on Our Roads
Of course, speeding is a form of reckless driving. However, reckless driving can involve other actions (or failures to act) by the driver, as well. It involves driving with a willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property. Any form of reckless driving can result in a fatal crash. Reckless driving is a crime in the State of Illinois and the State of Indiana.
Drivers assuming emptier roadways in Indiana and Illinois are an invitation to drive in a reckless manner are putting themselves and others on the road at risk of dying in a fatal motor vehicle accident. Reckless driving kills.
For more, read our discussion in:
- Indiana and Illinois: Deadliest Driving Conditions for Fatal Motor Vehicle Accidents
- Deadly Indiana School Bus Crash: Driver Charged With Reckless Homicide.
Fatal Coronavirus Car Crashes: Justice for Fatal Accidents in Indiana and Illinois during the COVID-19 Pandemic
For those who advocate in the aftermath of a fatal motor vehicle accident in Illinois or Indiana, the spike in fatality rates is disturbing. Fatal car crashes and deadly auto accidents can mean horrific deaths for victims as well as life-altering tragedies for those who survive as well as grieving loved ones.
The Coronavirus Pandemic is not only endangering the lives of everyone in Indiana and Illinois, it is the indirect cause of growing fatality rates on our roadways.
For more on Coronavirus legal claims, see:
- Coronavirus and Semi-Truck Crashes in Indiana and Illinois: Deadly Truck Crashes During COVID-19 Quarantines
- Coronavirus Lawsuits and COVID19 Legal Claims in Indiana and Illinois: Wrongful Death or Serious Injury.
The state laws of Indiana and Illinois provide avenues for justice to victims of fatal motor vehicle accidents and their loved ones. It is hoped that the warning of this jump in fatality rates will encourage drivers to drive safe despite the temptations of emptier roadways during this COVID-19 Pandemic. Please be careful out there!
