Traffic accidents were up in 2020 in Illinois, officials said. | Adobe Stock
Traffic accidents were up in 2020 in Illinois, officials said. | Adobe Stock
Even with more people staying home and fewer vehicles on the road because of the pandemic, Illinois officials said fatal crashes were up in 2020 as the state underwent its deadliest year on local roadways in the last 13 years.
Studies have shown speed, alcohol, marijuana and opioids have played a role in the increased mishaps, with most of the victims being between the ages of 18-3, WGN9 reported.
Riverside Police Chief Tom Weitzel said the lingering pandemic had played a role, WGN9 reported.
“Law enforcement agencies in Cook County, the state of Illinois and nationwide were faced with giving their officers these directives to have less contact with the public that included reducing traffic enforcement,” he said.
Across the country, National Safety Council statistics show fatal crashes were up by 8% in 2020 over the year before, with 42,000 people dying in crashes overall last year.
In Illinois, fatal crashes were up by 16% as more than 1,100 people died in traffic collisions. The scene was even worse in Chicago, where fatal crashes up by 45%, and 139 people were killed.
Alerts Sign-up