Chicago Accident and Injury Lawyer Blog

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says that pedestrian accidents account for roughly 12 percent of all nationwide traffic fatalities. With that statistic in mind, the Illinois Department of Transportation, in conjunction with the advocacy group, the Active Transportation Alliance, conducted a study and found that in 2007 there were 170 fatalities and more than 1,000 serious injuries among the 6,000 pedestrians who were hit while walking in Illinois.

The study found that the most dangerous locations for pedestrians are in the south and west suburbs. The study reports that Hopkins Park, a small town in Kankakee County, had more traffic accidents involving pedestrians per capita than any other town in the greater suburban Chicago area. From 2004 to 2007, Hopkins Park reported 10 accidents involving pedestrians, representing a rate of 4.22 accidents a year per 1,000 residents. Oakbrook Terrace ranked second in the report, with 1.31 accidents a year per 1,000 people. Other municipalities in the top ten include: Harvey (1.12), Markham (1.03), Countryside (1.0), Oak Park (0.96), Rosemont (0.95), Summit (0.94), Calumet Park (0.94) and Midlothian (0.91).

Researchers believe a number of factors contribute to these high rates. In lower-income communities, there are fewer resources, such as insufficient law enforcment and a lack of sidewalks. In higher-income areas, however, the accidents tend to result from busy arterial roads, badly marked crosswalks, or a high number of pedestrians. As such, improved street design, well-marked crosswalks, a greater police presence and more public education regarding pedestrian safety can all help reduce the number of accidents involving pedestrians.

The Active Transportation Alliance is currently backing a bill in the Illinois General Assembly that would requrie drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks instead of having the option to either slow down or stop.