Illinois On Pace For More Than 1,000 Traffic Fatalities In 2016
CHICAGO (CBS) -- If traffic fatality trends continue in Illinois, there could be more than 1,000 death from car crashes by the end of the year.
According to the Illinois Department of Transportation, there have been 594 people killed in traffic accidents in Illinois so far this year. On this date last year, there had been 549 deaths.
Lake County Sheriff's Police Det. Chris Covelli said speeding is a big factor in fatal accidents. So is distracted driving.
Covelli said drivers shouldn't assume police won't find out if you've been using your phone while at the wheel.
"Especially in very serious, critical, or fatal traffic crashes; what traffic investigators will often do is request subpoenas for cellular records to determine if cellular phones were in use during the time the crash occurred," he said.
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Lake County Sheriff's deputies were among police who focused on speeders on Illinois Speed Awareness Day on July 27, when 89 speeding tickets were issued in Lake County alone.
"Traditionally, Memorial Day through Labor Day is deemed the 100 deadliest days of driving, and essentially it's the summer months. College students are home for the year, the kids are out of school, and there's a lot more driving going on," Covelli said.
There were 998 people killed in traffic crashes in Illinois last year. This year's pace puts the state on track for approximately 1,016 traffic fatalities at year's end.
