Some Chicago Area School Districts Using Poor Crash Rated Cars For Drivers Ed

Date
Posted by

I have previously written about the challenges car makers are faced when designing new vehicles. Often decisions are being made whether to design a vehicle that is crash-worthy or something that is fuel efficient and more environmental friendly.  Apparently manly area school districts have been faced with the same delimma when choosing their cars for driver education classes.  According to a report from the Chicago Tribune, several local school districts are choosing cars that have poor cash ratings because they are cheaper and more fuel efficient.

The study, which was done by the Tribune  along with Cars.com, revealed that the more affluent your school district the safer your drivers ed vehicle will be. The study also showed that the Illinois does not track the type of cars being used nor are there any safety rules or regulations.  The Tribune filed 60 Freedom of Information Act requests to get the year, make and model of driver’s ed cars. The newspaper then compiled the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash test ratings for each car used in 2010 and 2011 and pressed districts for specifics about their cars. Some districts — particularly those that leased their cars from area dealers — did not maintain comprehensive records.  The study also revealed that districts often place cost and fuel efficiency above crash test ratings and vehicle size — factors that experts consider when judging a car’s safety.

The Chicago Public School District said that the oldest vehicle they use is a 1990 Dodge Shadow. Almost half the cars are pre-2000 Plymouth Breezes, Neons and Chevy Cavaliers, which garnered poor highway safety institute ratings. The school district in Will County also uses many older and more fuel efficient vehicles that do not have a very good crash worthiness rating. On the other hand, schools in the North Suburbs use much bigger and newer vehicles such as muscle type sport cars for their drivers ed classes. These vehicles all have a higher crash ratings.

There is no easy answer to this problem. It is well documented that CPS is cash strapped and their driver’s ed vehicle fleet is probably not a top priority to spend money. Is this putting CPS students at a higher risk than students in wealthier districts?  Is it fair for a child that grows up in a poorer neighborhood (through no choice of their own) be subjected to a vehicle that is less safe?  I do not think so. Yet, like I said, there are no easy answers. Hopefully a serious car accident is not the cause for change by the state to address this issue.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago injury attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com

Allstate Releases List Of The Safest Cities For Drivers

Date
Posted by

For the seventh year in a row, Allstate Insurance, prepared its “America’s Best Drivers Report,” which ranks the 200 largest cities in the U.S. Fort Collins, Colorado was considered the top city by Allstate as the safest in united states as far as car collision frequency.

The report notes that the total number of car accidents has decreased in recent years, but the number of vehicle fatalities have not gone down in a proportionate level. Allstate attributes this discrepancy with human behavior behind the wheel.  “Human behavior is the biggest cause of car accidents. It is vital for us to educate American drivers about safe driving behaviors they can demonstrate on the road that will help make our roadways safer,” Mike Roche, executive vice president, Allstate’s Claim Organization.

Allstate provided the following tips on their website to help prevent you from being involved in a car crash.

  • Minimize distractions – Engaging in any other activity while driving – talking on your cell phone, text messaging, changing a radio station, putting on makeup – is a distraction.
  • Be aware of road conditions – Ice, snow, fog, rain – all of these weather conditions require extra caution and slower speeds.
  • Leave a safe distance between your car and others around you – Maintain at least one car length space between your car and the vehicle in front of you for every 10 miles per hour of speed. 
  • Steer clear of road rage – Reduce stress on the road by allowing plenty of time for travel, planning your route in advance, and altering your schedule or route to avoid congested roads. Remember not to challenge aggressive drivers and stay as far away from them as possible.
  • Maintenance matters – Ultimately, safety also depends on the maintenance of your car. Ensure that your car brakes, exhaust system, tires, lights, battery and hoses are in good working order.

    • 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 consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.

    IDOT Launches “Drive Sober Or Get Pulled Over” Program For Labor Day Weekend

    Date
    Posted by

    The Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT), the Illinois State Police and local law enforcement agencies together organized wet lab demonstrations in Chicago and 5 other cities across Illinois.  The events occurred as the 2011 “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” Labor Day campaign enters its second week of stepped-up impaired driving enforcement. The wet lab tests were performed to show alchohol’s effect on drivers.

    A wet lab occurs in a controlled environment in which a person consumes alcohol to a level of 0.08 BAC (the limit in Illinois).  This allows observation of the real-life effects of impairment and the significant effects of alcohol on a person’s motor skills.  Volunteer participants in today’s events attempted Standardized Field Sobriety Tests (SFSTs) administered by police officers to show what happens in an actual Driving Under the Influence (DUI) arrest.  In addition, the drinking subjects showed how a vehicle equipped with a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) will not start when an impaired person attempts to drive.

    The SFSTs are a sequence of three tests administered and evaluated in a standardized manner to obtain indicators of impairment as it relates to a DUI charge.  The tests are administered systematically and are evaluated according to measured responses of the suspect.

    “Illinois State Police want motorists to arrive at their final destinations safely during the holiday weekend and will be targeting designated areas looking for speeders, seatbelt violators, distracted drivers, and DUI offenders ,” said ISP Director Hiram Grau.  “These are the Fatal 4 violations ISP will be enforcing during the holiday weekend.  Violating any of these laws can result in fines and possible jail time and will be treated as criminal acts by the police and court system,” he added.

    It will be interesting to see the final arrest numbers around the state and also the number of alcohol related car accidents during this crackdown. If there are an abnormally high number of arrests, will this be because of the increased number of police on patrol?  Or will the numbers of arrests and/or car accidents be higher due to the holiday weekend? I think it is critical to look at the numbers a little deeper rather than take them at face value when determing the programs effectiveness. Regardless, this will be positive if there are a lower number of auto accidents than the typical labor day weekend.

    If you or someone you love has been injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago accident attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.

    Study Shows It Is Dangerous To Be A Chicago Pedestrian

    Date
    Posted by

    I wrote recently about Chicago Mayor Rham Emanuel’s plan to strengthen the local crosswalks laws. This ordinance could not come at a better time as a study reported on by the Chicago Tribune reveals the dangers for Chicago pedestrian walkers.

    The study revealed that 80 percent of vehicle-pedestrian crashes in Chicago occur at intersections and commonly involve people crossing the street with the walk signal. The study showed that the 17,487 crashes between 2005 and 2009  involved 18,377 pedestrians.  The experts who prepared the study believe these numbers reveal a traffic safety crisis despite a downward trend in the rate of pedestrians killed. Pedestrian fatalities in Chicago hit a 16-year low in 2009 with 34 deaths, down from 88 deaths in 1994, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.

    The  Loop, Near North Side and Austin neighborhoods appear to have the highest number of auto and pedestrian accidents during this time period.

    The study found that 78 percent of all crashes and 80 percent of fatal and serious vehicle crashes occurred within 125 feet of the midpoint of an intersection — at crosswalks or nearby.A 2010 state law requires drivers to stop for pedestrians in crosswalks. The previous law required drivers to yield and stop when necessary.It’s too early to assess the impact of the law, officials said. But IDOT provisional numbers for 2010 show 2,943 vehicle-pedestrian crashes in Chicago last year, 32 pedestrian fatalities and 409 serious injuries. Those accidents were not factored into the new study.

    The Chicago Department of Transportation report that an average of two hit-and-run pedestrian crashes resulting in deaths or injuries take place each day in Chicago. Hit-and-runs account for 33 percent of vehicle-pedestrian collisions and 41 percent of those that are fatal, double the national average, officials said. That’ comes to a total of 5,534 hit-and-runs over the five-year stretch, causing 3,683 deaths and injuries.

    These are some startling numbers that the city has published. It will be interesting to see what Emanuel’s proposed ordinance will actually say, and whether the 2010 state crosswalk law will actually make life safer for pedestrians.

    If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago crosswalk accident or Chicago car accident, then call Chicago injury attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.

     

    Safety Questions Remain After Indiana Stage Collapse

    Date
    Posted by

    At this point most people have heard about the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair over the weekend that left 5 people dead and 25 others injured. Apparently a wind gust estimated at 60 to 70 mph toppled the roof and the metal scaffolding holding lights and other equipment, which led to the stage collapsing onto a crowd of concert-goers awaiting a show by the country group Sugarland.

    CBS News reported about several safety questions that have loomed following the accident. State fair officials have not said whether the stage and rigging were inspected prior to Saturday’s show. Fair spokesman Andy Klotz said initially that the state fire marshal’s office was responsible for inspections, but he backtracked Monday, saying he wasn’t sure whose job it is.

    A spokesman for the Indiana Department of Homeland Security said neither the fire marshal nor Homeland Security officials conduct inspections. And the city does not have the authority to inspect items on state property.

    “We do have our own requirements within the city for temporary structures, and we do have our own permitting requirements,” said Kate Johnson, spokeswoman for the Indianapolis Department of Code Enforcement. “But in this situation, we don’t have that authority because it’s state-owned property.”

    I think the first question that needs to be asked is who (which entity) was responsible for inspecting the stage and scaffolding, and why was the inspection not performed.  The next questions that need to be answered are exactly how and why the fatal accident occurred.  Was there a design flaw?  Was there structural damage? Was the equipment too old?  Once these questions are answered, then it will be easier to determine who was responsible and the process can begin to determine who will compensate the families who lost loved ones and for the 25 others who were injured.

    The first place to look for these answers will come when the Indiana Occupational Safety and Health Administration prepares their initial report.  Those reports can sometimes take a few weeks, but often times will take months.

    If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in an Illinois accident or have an Illinois wrongful death case, then call Chicago personal injury attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-588-3384.

    Nickelodeon’s Star Of ICarly Involved In Bus Accident In Southern Illinois

    Date
    Posted by

    The Chicago Sun Times reported this weekend that a tour bus carrying the star of the Nickelodeon tv show, ICarly, was involved in a serious auto accident. The actor, Miranda Cosgrove apparently suffered a broken ankle from the vehicle collision. A spokesman for the show said the bus accident happened early Thursday on Interstate 70 outside Vandalia, about 70 miles outside St. Louis.  There were five people on the bus transporting the 18-year-old TV star and “Kissin U” singer from her Wednesday-night show in Ohio to her scheduled Friday night stop in Kansas, her publicist said in a statement Thursday.  The good news: Her rep said that there were no serious injuries to the people on the bus and “everyone will be fine.” The bad news: Cosgrove’s “Dancing Crazy” summer tour, which was scheduled to conclude at the Arizona State Fair in Phoenix on Oct. 23, has been postponed until further notice.

    The passengers are probably thankful that there were not more serious injuries. Any type of car accident can be terrifying, but I imagine it is worse when on board a charter bus, where it would be difficult to see exactly what was happening or how the accident occurred.

    I have not seen any reports discussing how the bus accident  occurred or who was at fault.

    If you or someone you love has been involved in an Illinois bus accident or Illinois car accident, then call Chicago injury attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.

    Illinois Increases Speed Limit For Illinois Semi Trucks

    Date
    Posted by

    Illinois Governor Pat Quinn recently signed a new law that will increase the speed limit for trucks from 55 mph to 65 mph on four (4) lane highways throughout most of the state. There is an important caveat for the bill, which keeps the speed limit at 55 mph in all the counties in the surrounding Chicagoland area. These counties include Cook, DuPage, Will, Lake, Kane and McHenry.  Other legislation dealing with truck weight and size standards also was signed Wednesday in Quincy by Quinn.  The new law goes into effect on January 1, 2012 and vehicle weighing scales will be used on the road by officers.

    For starters, weighing trucks ensures that they do not damage or destroy roads. After all, roads and bridges can only handle so much weight. If a truck is over the regulated weight limit, it could cause irreparable damage to the highway.Current truck size and weight standards are a blend of Federal and State regulations and laws. Federal law controls maximum gross vehicle weights and axle loads on the Interstate System. Federal limits are 80,000 pounds gross vehicle weight, 20,000 pounds on a single axle, and 34,000 pounds on a tandem axle group.

    I am not sure wether this is necessary legislation. I think it will be important to track the rates of highway trucking accidents at the new speed compared to previous years. I assume the legislation was passed to help clear traffic congestion on highways, and presumably, to make highways safer. I cannot say one way or the other right now if this increases safety.  I will be looking for articles from highway safety experts to weigh in on this issue.

    If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago truck accident or Illinois truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.

    Survey Shows Even Good Drivers Speed And Text

    Date
    Posted by

    The Chicago Tribune reported recently about an Allstate study that revealed many interesting findings about supposed “good” drivers.  The surveys revealed that 89 percent said they’ve driven faster than the speed limit, 45 percent said they’ve driven when they’re so tired they could fall asleep and 34 percent conceded they had sent an e-mail or text message while driving, according to the survey of 1,000 adults polled by Financial Dynamics for Allstate insurance company.  70 percent of those who responded said they had to slam on the brakes or swerve to avoid a car accident after they became distracted.

    These are somewhat startling statistics. I guess one could compare this to the early implementation of the seat belt. I have read that when the seat belt was added to vehicles in the early 1960s, only about 10 percent of drivers actually buckled up. It took several decades before drivers became smarter about the dangers of not wearing your seat belt. Study’s show that approximately 80 percent of drivers wear their seat belts today. The evolution in seat belt use most likely came from stricter state laws and city ordinances along with a fervent public safety movement.  Hopefully the same evolution takes place with the use of cell phones while driving.  Evidence is overwhelming that it is extremely dangerous to text or talk on the phone while driving. It will be interesting to see if these statistics change in the next 5 to 10 years.

    Should you or someone you love become injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago injury attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.

    Chicago Completes First Protected Bike Lane

    Date
    Posted by

    NBC Chicago reported today that the Chicago Department of Transportation completed its’ first fully protected bike lane on a stretch of Kinzie Avenue in the River North neighborhood. The half-mile lane on Kinzie stretches from Milwaukee Avenue to Wells Street.  The lane completely separates cyclist traffic from vehicle traffic.

    The bicyclist lane is the first step by the Rham Emanuel administration, who pledged to make Chicago a state of the art bicycling city. The plan aims to make roads safer for bicyclists and hopefully clear up some of the congested traffic we see day in and day out in Chicago. 

    Typically, cycle tracks are separated from vehicles by planter boxes or construction barriers, however for this pilot project, flexible posts were used instead.The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) originally received a $3.2 million federal grant to build a test track on Stony Island Avenue between 69th and 77th streets, but the project was dropped due to low cyclist traffic.The next phase of protected lanes are expected to be added to Jackson Street between Halsted Street and Damen Avenue.

    Click here to watch the press conference from today’s announcement.
     
    If you or someone you love has been injured in a Chicago bicycle accident or Chicago car accident, then call Chicago car accident attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.

    Mayor Emanuel Steps Up Protection At Pedestrian Crossings

    Date
    Posted by

    “My administration is committed to making our streets safer for pedestrians.”  This is the pledge Rham Emanuel made recently when discussing the new ordinance that would provide stricter enforcement of pedestrian cross walks.

    If you work in the Loop or live in one of Chicago’s dozens of neighborhoods, you know that many of the main streets and boulevards have designated cross walks for pedestrians. The purpose of these cross walks is to allow the free flow of walkers without having walk to a stop light or to j walk.  They are also designed for protection. Unfortunately many drivers to not recognize these cross walks by not stopping or slowing down when pedestrians attempt to cross.

    Emanuel further stated “The ordinance … will clarify our safety laws to better protect pedestrians and support a vigorous, creative, public awareness campaign to help educate all who use our roads about pedestrian safety.”

    Transportation Commissioner Gabe Klein is also suggesting narrower streets, slower speed limits and intersections where vehicular traffic is stopped for 14 seconds every other light cycle to give pedestrians a chance to cross in every direction, including diagonally. Further, the ordinance would would require drivers to come to a full stop when a pedestrian is crossing at an “uncontrolled crosswalk” — an intersection with no traffic signal or stop sign. The ordinance also would authorize Klein’s department to maintain “temporary awareness signs” on the public way to promote pedestrian safety. The signs would include temporary safety messages “stenciled on the sidewalk” or “crossing flags” at key intersections.

    This is a positive step for the for the Emanuel adminstration, who also recently made a pledge to make Chicago one the most bicycle friendly cities in the united states. Click here to read the entire article about the proposed ordinance in the Chicago Sun Times.

    If you or someone you love has been injured in a Chicago car accident or a Chicago pedestrian accident, then call Chicago accident attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.