Drivers on drugs continues to be a major traffic safety issue. While there are many drugs that such drivers typically use before – or during – driving, among the most common are marijuana, cocaine, meth and heroin. Also, “huffing” and sniffing of chemicals sometimes occurs, which also can lead to serious levels of impairment and an inability to adequately control a vehicle.

Accidents caused by drivers on drugs have occurred throughout the Chicago area, including some in Lake County. As seen in these accidents, injuries are often serious in nature, and some are life-threatening and can lead to fatalities. In many of these accidents,

On this site, the subject of drug-impaired drivers is further discussed on the “Car Accidents Involving Drivers Under The Influence Of Drugs” page. As seen on that page, the level of impairment various significantly depending on many factors. However, if “mixed drug” use occurs and/or alcohol is consumed during the drug use, the level of impairment will likely increase, perhaps substantially. Also, many of this “drugged driving” involves speeding, which further can increase the odds of a serious accident occurring.

Recently, there have been two incidents alleging involving drivers on drugs. The first one is mentioned in a Highland Park Patch article of February 12, 2019. As seen in that article, the driver was arrested in Highland Park and charged with driving under the influence of drugs following a traffic stop.

In another incident, involving alleged multiple collisions in Riverside, the driver was charged after allegedly driving while on heroin. That accident is discussed in the February 3, 2019 abc7chicago.com article (with video) titled “Police: Driver high on heroin during series of hit-and-run crashes in Riverside.”

Additional details regarding drivers on drugs and the serious accident injuries that can occur can be seen in the sources mentioned above.

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Should you be involved in a vehicle accident, there are certain actions you should take in order to protect your rights. Elman Law Group has compiled a reference document titled “10 Steps You Should Follow After an Auto Accident.”

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Elman Law Group LLC (ElmanLaw.com) is a law firm that concentrates in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases involving vehicle accidents (car, motorcycle, bike, bus, pedestrian, truck, etc.) This intense focus allows us to consistently achieve winning verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Should you be involved in a car accident, there are certain actions you should take in order to protect your rights.  You should not assume – especially without proper legal representation – that you will receive appropriate compensation for your injuries, hardships and/or losses.  To immediately speak directly with a trial lawyer from the Elman Law Group, call (773) 392-8182 at any time.  There is no fee for this consultation.  

Roadways prone to accidents can occur for many reasons. Among these reasons are overly complicated roadway designs; too much traffic for a given roadway; a lack of suitable traffic control devices; and too little traffic safety enforcement. As well, in addition to these factors, accidents with injuries are more prone to happen if vehicles are traveling at excessive speed. Vehicles traveling at excessive speed is problematical for many reasons, as further discussed on the “Speed As An Accident Cause And The Potential For Serious Injuries” page.

These roadways prone to accidents are a traffic safety concern as they often lead to accidents with injuries.  In the Chicago area there are many intersections which are considered due to various reasons to be “dangerous intersections” or intersections in which accidents frequently occur.  A broad range of accident types can occur, including “T-bone crashes”, “rear-end collisions,” pedestrian accidents, and bicycle accidents.  Often, a history of frequent accidents will lead to changes in the design of the roadways and intersections to reduce the possibility of additional accidents.

NBC Chicago ran a segment (video and article) on February 6, 2019 titled “Chicago-Area Drivers Navigate ‘Confusing’ Intersections.”  The video shows various roadways and intersections in the Chicago area – including those in Chicago, several in DuPage County, and some commentary regarding roundabouts in Lake County. 

An excerpt from the article:

NBC 5 Investigates contacted transportation experts and dozens of area police departments to learn what they considered to be the potentially confusing new or old roadway designs.

With regard to roundabouts in Lake County, the video and article discuss the roundabout at
Riverwoods Road and Everett Road, and also mentions that there are 5 roundabouts in Lake County.

Additional details regarding these roadways prone to accidents can be seen in the segment.

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Should you be involved in a vehicle accident, there are certain actions you should take in order to protect your rights. Elman Law Group has compiled a reference document titled “10 Steps You Should Follow After an Auto Accident.”

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Elman Law Group LLC (ElmanLaw.com) is a law firm that concentrates in Personal Injury and Wrongful Death cases involving vehicle accidents (car, motorcycle, bike, bus, pedestrian, truck, etc.) This intense focus allows us to consistently achieve winning verdicts and settlements for our clients.

Should you be involved in a car accident, there are certain actions you should take in order to protect your rights.  You should not assume – especially without proper legal representation – that you will receive appropriate compensation for your injuries, hardships and/or losses.  To immediately speak directly with a trial lawyer from the Elman Law Group, call (773) 392-8182 at any time.  There is no fee for this consultation.  

Speeding in Lake County continues to present a traffic safety hazard.  As discussed on the “Speed As An Accident Cause And The Potential For Serious Injuries” page, statistics indicate that driving at excessive speed often contributes to or causes a driver to crash.  As well, driving at higher speeds often causes accident injuries to be much greater in severity.  This speeding often accompanies driver impairments such as driving while intoxicated by alcohol or driving while drug-impaired.

The Highland Park Patch article of October 1, 2018, titled “DUI Driver Was Speeding At Least 40 MPH Over Limit:  HP Blotter” mentions various alleged instances of speeding in Lake County.  As seen in the article, a number of incidents in Highland Park resulted in drivers being charged with DUI and other charges such as improper lane usage and running a red light.  Some of the drivers were cited for speeding as well; one was cited for driving at least 40 mph over the speed limit.

Additional details regarding these issues regarding speeding in Lake County can be seen in the sources mentioned above.

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Distracted driving continues to be a major traffic safety issue nationally, as well as throughout Illinois and in Lake County.  While there are many reasons that can lead to a driver being distracted, two frequently-cited reasons are the use of mobile phones as well as texting on cellphones.

A recent study, which is discussed in the April 2, 2018 post titled “‘Distracted Driving’ Seen As Top Threat To Traffic Safety” indicates that such driving was seen by motorists as the top threat to traffic safety.

There are many reasons why distracted driving is such a traffic hazard and often leads to loss of vehicle control and accidents.   Various reasons as to why distracted driving is hazardous, as well as various statistics, are further discussed on the “Distracted Driving Accidents And Injuries” page.

Recently, a new Illinois law (further) addresses distracted driving.  The Daily Herald article of August 22, 2018 (“Why Illinois is making penalties for texting while driving tougher“) discusses the new law and various statistics regarding driver distraction.  An excerpt:

State Sen. Cristina Castro, an Elgin Democrat who sponsored the legislation, says penalties under the current law, which went into effect in 2014, haven’t done enough to curb motorists from using cellphones while driving. In 2017, about 9 percent of Illinois motorists were observed using electronic devices while driving, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation. Nationwide, distracted driving caused 3,450 deaths in 2016.

also, with regard to the new law:

The stricter penalties, which go into effect on July 1, 2019, were signed into law last week. People who illegally use handheld electronic devices while driving will be given a moving violation on the first offense instead of a nonmoving violation. Motorists who rack up three moving violations within a year can have their driver’s license suspended.

An excerpt regarding this new law and its penalties regarding distracted driving, from the August 17, 2018 Chicago Tribune article titled “New distracted driving fine, bike safety rule signed into law“:

One law signed by Gov. Bruce Rauner imposes a harsher penalty on drivers caught using a phone behind the wheel without a hands-free device.

The new law, which goes into effect next July, makes the penalty $75 for a first offense, $100 for a second, $125 for a third and $150 for a fourth or subsequent offense. Under current law, drivers get a warning and no fine the first time.

Additional details regarding these distracted driving issues can be seen in the sources mentioned above.

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“Speed Awareness Day” is July 25, 2018.   Lake County is participating in this speed-reduction effort.

As seen in the July 19, 2018 Libertyville Patch article titled “Speed Awareness Day Is Wednesday:  Lake Co. Cops Out In Full Force“:

Sheriff Mark Curran is reminding motorists that Wednesday, July 25, 2018 is Speed Awareness Day. Expanded traffic safety patrols will be visible throughout the county to remind motorists to drive within the speed limit.

This “Speed Awareness Day” safety campaign has published a variety of statistics related to speed and crashes.  Among these statistics are the following, as seen on the “Residential Facts On Speeding” page:

• When a pedestrian is hit by a car at 20 MPH, there is a 10% likelihood of being killed; at a speed of 30 MPH, the percentage increases to a 50% likelihood of being killed.
• The higher the speed at impact, the more severe the injuries sustained.
• 37% of the speed-related crashes result in injuries.
• When speeding, there is a greater chance that other road users will misjudge how fast you are traveling.
• Speeding extends the distance required to stop a vehicle in emergency situations.
• Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to navigate safely around curves or objects in the roadway.

Additional information is provided regarding speed is seen on the “Interstate Facts On Speeding” page:

• The probability of death, disfigurement, or debilitating injury grows with higher speed at impact.  Such consequences double for every 10 mph over 50 mph.
• In 2016 speed accounted for 32.2% of all crashes
• In 2016 speed accounted for 34.2% of all fatal crashes
• In 2016 speed accounted for 37.8% of injury crashes
• In 2016 there was a total of 1078 fatalities on our roadways

Additional details on speeding and this Illinois “Speed Awareness Day” campaign can be seen in the sources mentioned above.

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