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Study Shows Chicago Police Reports Chalked Full Of Errors

by on April 28, 2012 in Accident, accidental death, car accident, IDOT

A study conducted by the Illinois Department of Transportation has shown that Chicago police reports are full of errors.

The study examined state records of Chicago police reports filed in 2006 at the city’s request in 2008. More than 70 percent of the crash reports were missing important data or details and 30 percent had errors in them.

According to a Chicago Tribune article, officials are now trying to correct the problems through improved training of police officers and clerical workers who compile the data, an easier-to-use accident form as well as better analysis of the raw data as it is received.

On example the article pointed out was that in 2006, the city counted 63 traffic deaths in Chicago while a state database, which is considered more accurate lists the deaths at 176.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured or your loved one was killed in a motor vehicle accident, you may want to seek counsel from the Illinois accident lawyers at Dwyer & McDevitt. Call today for a free, initial consultation.

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IDOT Reminds Drivers Of Work Zone Safety

by on April 24, 2012 in Accident, car accident, distracted driving, drunk driving, IDOT, texting while driving

This week is National Work Zone Awareness Week. The Illinois Department of Transportation along with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority, Illinois State Police, Local Laborers Union, Illinois Road and Transportation Builders Association and others are participating in the awareness week in an effort to help reduce traffic-related crashes, injuries and fatalities in work zones.

According to the Illinois Department of Transportation press release, speed and inattentiveness are the major contributing factors to work zone crashes. The coalition is working to remind drivers that when construction conditions are present, it is imperative to reduce speeds for the safety of all the workers as well as other drivers.

With lane reductions, lane closures, drop offs and heavy equipment moving next to traffic, if speeds are not reduced, the chance of having an accident greatly increases.

IDOT reminded drivers it is illegal to use a hand-held wireless device while operating a vehicle in a construction zone or operating any wireless device while operating a motor vehicle in Illinois is illegal.

IDOT said on average, there are more than 7,000 motor vehicle crashes in work zones yearly. Last year, 24 people were killed in work zone crashes. Twenty one of those killed were drivers or passengers, two were workers and one was a pedestrian.

Speeding in a work zone can result in a fine of $375 for first-time offenders and $1,000 for second-time offenders with a driver’s license suspension for up to 90 days. If a driver hits a worker, they face up to a $10,000 fine along with up to 14 years in prison.

If you or your loved one has been injured in a work zone crash, you may want to discuss your case with a Chicago car accident attorney who can help you decide your next step. Call the Law Office of Dwyer & McDevitt today for a free, initial consultation.

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Study: Automakers Need To Do More To Help Proper Car Seat Installation

by on April 16, 2012 in Accident, car accident, child safety restraint, seat belt law

A new study released by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety said modern car seat designs, not parent error, is making it challenging for parents to properly install car seats many times.

According to the study, the standard LATCH system is supposed to make it easier to properly install a car seat, but the study said research is showing auto makers aren’t doing enough to help.

The study, which was a joint effort by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety along with the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute showed that only 21 percent of the 98 top-selling 2010 and 2011 model-year vehicles have a LATCH system that is easy to use.

In the tests, researchers examined LATCH hardware and looked at three factor. First researchers examined the depth the anchors were installed at. The anchors should be no lower than 3/4 of an inch in the seat and should be easy to spot.

The second factor they considered was clearance. Nothing should be in the way of the anchors and there should be enough room around them to hook the latch straight-on as well as at an angle.

The third factor researchers examined was force, or how much effort parents had to put forth to install a seat. Ideally, parents should be able to install a child restraint using 40 pounds of force or less.

2011 models that meet all 3 easy-installation criteria:

  • Audi A4 QuattroCadillac Escalade
  • Chevrolet Equinox LT
  • Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab LT
  • Chevrolet Suburban LT
  • Chevrolet Tahoe LS
  • Chrysler Town & Country (2010)
  • Dodge Caliber Mainstreet
  • Dodge Grand Caravan
  • Dodge Ram 1500 crew cab
  • Ford Escape XLT
  • Ford F-150 SuperCrew Cab
  • GMC Sierra 1500 crew cab SLE
  • Honda Pilot EX-L
  • Kia Sedona LX
  • Land Rover Range Rover Sport
  • Mercedes-Benz C300
  • Mercedes-Benz E350
  • Mitsubishi Eclipse coupe GS
  • Mitsubishi Lancer ES
  • Toyota Tacoma extended cab
If you or your loved one has sustained serious injuries in any type of motor vehicle accident, it is imperative to speak with a qualified, experienced Chicago personal injury attorney today to discuss your case.  Call today for a free, initial consultation.
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Two Bills Targeting Driving With Cell Phones Pass House

by on March 13, 2012 in Accident, car accident, cell phone ban, legislation

The Illinois House passed legislation last week in an effort to protect the public from distracted drivers.

On Thursday, the House passed legislation making it illegal to use a handheld cell phone while driving. Although some areas, like Chicago, already have such a ban in place, this is a first for the whole state.

Violators would be cited and fined $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second offense, $125 for a third offense and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense.

On Friday, the House passed a law banning drivers from using cell phones while passing through emergency areas.

Violators would receive a traffic citation and a fine of up to $70. In the legislation, an emergency area is any and all areas where an emergency vehicle is parked with lights on.

Currently, it is illegal for drivers to talk on a cell phone while driving through construction areas and school zones.

Both bills are headed to the state Senate.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, you may want to speak with an experienced Chicago car accident attorney today to discuss your case.

House Bill 3972

House Bill 5099

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Gov. Quinn Signs Law Allowing Speed Cameras At Some Intersections

by on February 12, 2012 in Accident, bus accident, car accident, new law, transportation news, truck accident

Illinois Governor Pat Quinn signed the Chicago speed camera bill into law Monday.

The new law, Senate Bill 965, allows Chicago to use its red light camera to issue speeding tickets by mail at 79 intersections within 1/8 of a mile from a school or park. The bill should take effect July 1.

It is set to be the largest automated speed enforcement program. In order for officials to utilize the new law, they must retrofit the 79 eligible locations with speed camera hardware, which could take some time.

Drivers photographed at the intersections and exceeding the speed limit by 5 mph and 11 mph would be fined $50 and those exceeding the speed limit by more than 11 mph would be fined $100.

Red cameras were first installed in Chicago by the Chicago Department of Transportation in 2003. The Chicago city council now must pass an ordinance allowing the city to utilize the red light cameras as speed camera enforcements Wednesday.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a car or truck accident, you need an experienced Chicago car accident attorney. Contact our offices today for a free case evaluation.

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New Law Requires All To Buckle Up

by on December 29, 2011 in accidental death, car accident, seat belt law, transportation news

It will now be illegal for anyone riding in a vehicle in Illinois to not buckle up.

Beginning January 1, a new law takes effect requiring all occupants of a motor vehicle to be properly restrained while the vehicle is in motion. Currently, only the driver and front-seat passengers must wear a seatbelt.

If someone is cited for riding without a seatbelt, a $60 fine will be assessed and if the person is younger than 16 years old, the driver will be responsible for the fine.

Those riding in buses and taxis will be exempt from the new laws.

If you or someone you love have been injured in a car accident, you need an experienced Illinois accident attorney by your side to fight for you. Contact us today so we can discuss your case.

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Alcohol-Related Deaths, DUIs Decrease In Illinois

by on December 24, 2011 in Accident, car accident, drunk driving

The number of alcohol-impaired motor vehicle deaths in Illinois over the past five years has continued to decrease, according to crash data released by the Illinois Department of Transportation.

According to the data, deaths have decreased by 33 percent from 2006 through 2010. In 2006, 446 deaths were attributed to impaired driving accidents while in 2010, 298 deaths were attributed to impaired driving accidents.

The data also showed the number of DUI arrests decreased by 16 percent between 2007 and 2010.

Officials are contributing the decrease to law enforcement and motorists working to comply with traffic safety laws.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a car accident, you need an experienced attorney who can fight on your behalf. Contact Dwyer & McDevitt today for a free, initial consultation.

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NTSB Recommends Full Ban On Cell Phones While Driving

by on December 13, 2011 in Accident, car accident, cell phone ban, National Transportation and Safety Board, NTSB, texting ban, texting while driving

A federal board meant to overlook safety on roadways across the country made an unprecedented recommendation Tuesday morning that all states should ban the use of non-emergency cellular devices of any type by all drivers.

The only exception was those designed to assist drivers, such as GPS devices.

This comes after the NTSB reviewed a multi-vehicle crash in Grays Summit, Mo. that occurred in August 2010 on Interstate 44. The accident involved two passenger vehicles and two school buses and left two people dead and 38 people injured.

Cell phone records of one of the drivers showed frequent text activity via cell phone and led the board to conclude that driver was likely distracted by texting at the time of the accident. Eleven text messages were sent or received in eleven minutes by the driver just prior to the accident. The driver was killed in the crash.

According to officials, the 19-year-old driver of the pickup crashed into the back of a tractor trailer. His truck was then rear-ended by a school bus, which was then rear-ended by another school bus.

If you or your loved one has been injured in an accident caused by a distracted driver, you may have the basis for a personal injury case. Contact the Chicago auto accident attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt, Ltd. today and we can help lay out your options.

NTSB Meeting Summary >>

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New PSA To Warn Teens Of Texting While Driving

by on November 29, 2011 in Accident, accidental death, car accident, teen driving, texting while driving

A new public service announcement geared toward teens and texting while driving is set to run in time for the holidays.

The United States Department of Transportation revealed the campaign “OMG,” Monday to help spread the message that texting while driving is not only dangerous, but can be deadly as well.

Two versions of the PSA are set to run. One will run in Regal movie theaters across the country, while a more somber one will run on 12,000 gas pump screens near busy roadways.

According to the government site, distraction.gov 5,474 people were killed in 2009 in crashes where a driver was distracted and nearly 50,000 were injured. Also, in June 2011, more than 196 billion text messages were sent, which was up nearly 50 percent in two years.

Research has found that sending or receiving a text takes a driver’s eyes from the road for an average of 4.6 seconds, the equivalent-at 55 mph-of driving the length of an entire football field, blind.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured, or your loved one has been killed by a texting or otherwise distracted driver, our lawyers may be able to assist you. Contact the Chicago car accident attorneys at the law office of Dwyer & McDevitt, LLC today for your free, initial consultation.

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AAA Study: Teens Drivers 50% More Likely To Crash In First Month

by on October 20, 2011 in Accident, accidental death, car accident, teen driving

A study released this week by AAA showed that teen drivers’ risk of crashing is significantly higher in the first month of driving compared to after they have been driving for a year.

According to the study, teen drivers are 50 percent more likely to crash in that first month. Researchers at the University of North Carolina’s Highway Safety Research Center conducted the study and found three key factors contributed to the rise in crashes: failure to reduce speed; inattention and failure to yield.

Researchers found some types of crashes occurred at a relatively high rate and dramatically decreased after the driver gained experience. Crashes, such a left-hand turns were common in the first few months, but declined dramatically after that.

Crashes that occurred from lack of mastering a specific skill took more time to decrease.

AAA suggests it is important for parents of teen drivers help their teen improve their driving skills before they get their license and parents continue to work with their new drivers after they get their licenses to master their driving skills.

AAA also suggests parents take the following steps:

- Practice is key – help your teen by taking them out in various types of driving conditions, such as during rain, snow, bright sun and night time.

- Keep passengers out – Set limits for who can ride with your teen, where they can go and how many at a time

- Limit night driving – Try to keep teens off the road at night when not with an adult until they gain more experience.

- Keep rules – Parents need to set limitations for their teen driver to follow.

If you or your loved one has been seriously injured in a car or truck accident, you need the Chicago Accident Attorneys at Dwyer & McDevitt, Ltd. Contact our offices today for a free, initial consultation.

AAA Study >>

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