Monthly Archives: September 2013

Data Shows Illinois Motorcyclists Are Drinking And Driving At Higher Rate Than Other Motorists

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The Illinois Department of
Transportation (IDOT) recently collected auto accident data which revealed that
motorcyclists involved in fatal automobile crashes in the late afternoon and
early evening are more than twice as likely to have been driving under the
influence of alcohol.  IDOT and National
Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data shows for the 3 p.m. to 5:59
p.m. timeframe that 15 percent of motorcycle fatalities occurring during that
time involve a drunk rider compared to 6 percent of passenger vehiclefatalities during the same time. Data shows from 6 p.m. to 8:59 p.m. to be even
worse as 24 percent of motorcycle fatalities at that time involve a drunken
rider compared to 11 percent of passenger cars.   

“Whether
you are traveling in a vehicle or riding on a motorcycle, safety should be the
number one priority,” said ISP Colonel Michael Zerbonia. “Every second counts
when it comes to road safety and our officers will be enforcing all traffic
laws and reminding motorists that seat belts save lives.”

In
2012 in Illinois, 148 motorcyclists died in motor vehicle crashes. That was a
slight increase from 2011 motorcycle fatalities when 145 motorcyclists lost
their lives. Motorcycle riders continue to be over-represented in Illinoismotor vehicle crash fatalities. In 2012, motorcycles made up 3 percent of all
registered motor vehicles, yet motorcycle riders represented more than 15
percent of all motor vehicle fatalities.

Obviously
drinking while driving any type of vehicle is incredibly dangerous but the
higher rates for motorcycle driver fatalities is incredibly alarming. The
penalties and criminal implications are the same whether driving drunk in a car
versus a motorcycle, but it appears that more awareness needs to be made for
motorcycle drivers as they are left exposed while riding atop their bikes
unprotected. I will be keeping an eye out to see if IDOT or any other entity
spreads awareness on the danger of drinking while driving a motorcycle.

If
you or someone you love has been injured in a Chicago motorcycle accident or
Chicago car accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant
for a free legal consultation at 312-588-3384. 

Chicago To Add 50 New Speeder Cameras Around City

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I have written multiple times in the
past about Chicago speeder cameras. Like many residents and media members, I
have been skeptical as to whether the cameras are a money grab for the city or
are actually being placed to make our city safer. Like them or not, NBC
5 reported last week that the city has approved 50 new cameras
throughout the city. You can see the complete list by clicking here. 

The first group of 4 cameras were installed on Monday August
26, the first day of classes for Chicago Public
Schools students. Another eight cameras were scheduled to be installed in
September. Another 50 will be installed by the end of the year. Drivers
will receive warnings for the first 30 days after a camera is activated in any
specific “safety zone” around a school or park. After that, drivers
will be fined $35 for travelling 6 to 10 miles per hour over the posted speed
limit, and $100 for travelling 11 or more miles over the posted speed limit.
 

Enforcement times will be limited to
7 a.m.-7 p.m. on weekdays in school zones, with a 20 mph speed limist from from
7 a.m.-4 p.m. when children are present, and a 30 mph speed limit from 4-7 p.m.
A 30 mph speed limit will be enforced from 6 a.m.-11 p.m. every day of the week
in park zones


As I have said before, I will be interested to see the accident rates in these
locations after the cameras are installed. Hopefully this will create safer
school zones, less car accidents and ultimately eliminate any pedestrianaccidents.

If you or someone you love has
been injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago pedestrian accident, then
call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free legal consultation
at 312-588-3384. 

New IL Law Allows Electronic Proof Of Auto Insurance

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I wrote a few months back about a
new law that would raise the minimum requirement for Illinois auto insurance up
to $25,000 per individual and $50,000 per accident, up from $20,000 and
$40,000. This bill has not been signed by Governor Quinn yet, but another
interesting auto insurance bill was signed last week. According to the Herald-Review.com,
Governor Quinn did sign a bill that allows drivers to show proof of auto insurance
electronically from their phone. Country
Financial, a Bloomington, IL based insurance company said customers can
download a copy of their insurance card from the company website, said
spokesman Christopher Stroisch.  “We wanted to make it easy for our
customers to access their commercial truck insurance. Most people wouldn’t think of
leaving their house without their phone, but they may not remember to put their
newest insurance card into their vehicle,” Stroisch said in an email Friday.

Although I
primarily handle personal injury cases and auto accidents, I do represent
clients charged with traffic violations, including no insurance tickets. On its
face this seems like a logical bill to pass as often times drivers lose the
paper version of their proof of insurance. But what if drivers leave home
without their phone or forget to download the proof of insurance on their
phone? Well, the short answer is they will still receive a ticket and will have
to appear in court to show proof before having the ticket dismissed. My advice
is to download proof of insurance on your phone (if available) but also keep a
hard copy of your insurance in your glove compartment just in case you leave
home without your phone.

If you or someone
you love has been injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident,
then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free legalconsultation at 312-588-3384.