According to the Chicago Pedestrian Plan and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), our city has seen an 8 percent decrease in the number of pedestrian accidents from 2005 to 2009. Among all large U.S. cities, our city has the fifth-lowest pedestrian fatality rate. While that may be something for us to be proud of, we still see more than 3,000 pedestrian accidents in Chicago each year.Our Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers understand that there were nearly 3,150 pedestrian accidents in 2009. There were nearly 3,485 in 2008 and more than 3,685 in 2007. While we have seen a slight decrease in the number of accidents through the years, these incidents are still all too common along our roadways. That’s why we’re asking residents to make one of their New Year’s resolutions to make our roadways safer for on-foot traffic. We’ve discussed various New Year’s resolutions over the last four blogs that can be taken to help increase roadway safety. This is the fifth entry of a 6-part blog to do just that, reduce the risks of accidents on Chicago’s roads.
There were nearly 35 pedestrians who died in accidents in Chicago in 2009 and nearly 60 in 2008. This new 2009 number serves as a 16-year-low, which is unfortunately because that’s still far too many unnecessary fatalities.
Fatality accident information was first available in the city in 1995, when there were nearly 90 fatalities. Since then we’ve seen more than a 60 percent decrease, but we’ve got a long way to go.
The number of pedestrian injuries has also decreased in recent years, too. In 2005, there were nearly 650 pedestrian fatalities while in 2009 there were just over 500. Although that serves as a significant decrease, we need to point out that there was in fact an increase in this number from 2008 with 452 to 503 in 2009.
In 2009, the fatality rate for pedestrians in Chicago ranked lower than just 14 other U.S. cities.
Pedestrian Facts from the City of Chicago:
-The number of pedestrian accidents has decreased overall since 2001.
-Pedestrians age 15- to 18-years-old have the highest crash rate per population.
-More males than females are involved in pedestrian accidents.
-Thursdays see the most pedestrian accidents.
-Most accidents happened from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The second most dangerous times for pedestrians on our roadways is from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
-Half of all fatal accidents happen on arterial roads.
-Older pedestrians are more likely to be struck in a crosswalk than younger pedestrians.
-A two-mile corridor along 79th Street held four spots out of the top twenty most dangerous accident intersections.
-Hit-and-run accidents account for about 40 percent of all fatal pedestrian accidents.
-About two hit-and-run accidents happen every day in which a pedestrian is injured or killed.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian accident, the personal injury attorneys and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.
More Blog Entries:
NHTSA Pushing Backup Camera to Reduce Risks of Pedestrian Accidents in Illinois, Nation, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, November 29, 2011
82-Year-Old Driver Injures Two Pedestrians – Are Your Parent’s at Risk for a Car Accident in Chicago?, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog, July 15, 2011