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Motor Vehicle Accidents 
People who are heading out on a road trip for spring break should take adequate safety precautions and exercise good driving behaviors to prevent serious accidents that may cause injuries or deaths. During spring break, car accidents rise significantly due to increased traffic, weather conditions, impaired and distracted drivers, and more teen drivers on the road.
Over 70 percent of drivers admit to distracted driving behaviors while behind the wheel. Accidents and injuries related to cell phone use account for more than 1 million car crashes each year in the United States.
In 2019, new Illinois traffic laws will impact motorists, pedestrians, and bicyclists. The new laws are established to increase traffic safety and reduce traffic accidents and injuries.
Many drivers are unaware of the limitations of their car’s safety systems and they rely on the technology to prevent accidents and injuries without taking their own precautions while behind the wheel.
Pedestrian detectors, designed to prevent injury and fatality accidents, are making their way onto the market. A cellular-based accident prevention system provides real-time alerts of impending collisions to vehicles and pedestrians through Android and iOS-based mobile phones.
In the Chicago area, it is estimated that more than 400 fatalities per year can be attributed to deteriorating road conditions, poor roadway designs, and inadequate traffic control systems. Due to the lack of state funding, many major roads in Illinois are in bad condition and are continuing to deteriorate.
The SUV revolution is one reason pedestrian deaths are on the rise. Between 2009 and 2016, pedestrian fatalities caused by motor vehicles in the United States increased by 46 percent. That same time period saw an 81% increase in pedestrian fatalities involving SUVs.
In 2016, alcohol-involved traffic fatalities rose by 1.7 percent, accounting for 28 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths that year. The number of alcohol-impaired crash fatalities has risen steadily since 2014.
The Ford Explorer and the Jeep Grand Cherokee were among eight popular mid-size SUVs in recent safety crash tests, and they received a rating of “poor,” the worst of four possible safety ratings given by IIHS. Ford and Fiat Chrysler manufacturers are known for delayed vehicle replacements and past due vehicle sale dates which results in bad safety ratings.
Safer car models help prevent the likelihood of serious injuries in the event of a crash. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) test and rate vehicles to assist consumers with making smart buying decisions.