Car Speeds and Pedestrian Deaths

Experienced Illinois Attorneys Help Families After a Pedestrian Accident Claims a Life

Efforts to make streets safer for drivers have paid off in recent years with decreases in traffic deaths. But one group of roadway users hasn’t shared in these gains. 

US pedestrian deaths reached a 40-year high in 2022, according to the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). In 2022, over 7,500 pedestrians were killed on US roads – about 20 people every day. 

What’s causing this increase in pedestrian deaths? Research points to a combination of higher vehicle speeds and larger vehicle sizes. 

Illinois Pedestrian Death Statistics

The GHSA notes that “since 2010, pedestrian deaths have gone up a shocking 77%, compared to a 25% increase in all other traffic fatalities.” 

In Illinois, death totals rose from 171 deaths in 2019 to over 200 in 2022. They rose even through the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic when total vehicle miles traveled dropped sharply. Even as fewer vehicles took to the roads, more pedestrians paid the ultimate price. 

Cook County continues to top the list as Illinois’s deadliest county for pedestrians. In 2022, 96 pedestrians died in Cook County crashes. The next highest counties were St. Clair with 11 deaths and DuPage with nine.

How Faster Speeds and Larger Vehicles Increase Risks for Pedestrians

A study by the City of Chicago revealed two factors contributing to higher rates of pedestrian deaths: Higher speeds and heavier vehicles. 

Faster Vehicle Speeds Lead to Increased Traffic Deaths

The study found that 70 percent of pedestrian traffic deaths in Chicago involved a driver who was traveling at a high speed – sometimes over 50 miles per hour. The study noted that “people are driving at dangerous speeds in every neighborhood,” especially on wider roads.

The study noted how seemingly small increases in speeds can translate to large risks for pedestrians: 

• At 20 miles per hour, 5 percent of pedestrians struck in crashes will suffer fatal injuries.
• At 30 miles per hour, 40 percent of pedestrians will suffer fatal injuries. 
• At 50 miles per hour and above, nearly 100 percent of pedestrians will be killed when struck. 

To address this problem, Chicago is embracing a “Complete Streets” design program. The program is intended to reduce vehicle speeds – not only by lowering posted speed limits but also by designing streets that make it intuitive for drivers to move more cautiously. 

Larger Vehicles

In a high-speed crash, pedestrians face a high risk of death. Pedestrians are also more likely to suffer death or catastrophic injury when struck by larger, heavier vehicles. 

A study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that SUVs showed the largest spike in single-vehicle fatal pedestrian crashes. Other large vehicles like pickup trucks and high-horsepower vehicles were also more likely to cause death than smaller vehicles like compact cars. During the time frame, the IIHS studied, the number of fatal pedestrian crashes involving SUVs also increased 81 percent.

Why are larger vehicles more likely to cause death in a pedestrian collision? Three factors may be at play:

• Larger, heavier vehicles exert more force when they hit someone than do smaller vehicles at the same speed. This additional force causes more damage to the body, which can prove fatal.
• Larger vehicles tend to be taller, especially in the front end. When they strike a pedestrian, the force of the blow is transferred to the neck and upper body rather than to the lower body or legs. Fatal injuries are more likely to occur when a person is struck in the spine or vital organs. 
• Larger vehicles may make it more difficult for drivers to see pedestrians. In addition, the sense of safety a larger vehicle provides may lull larger vehicle drivers into believing that whatever they do is safe – even when it is unsafe for those around them. 

Regardless of the size of the vehicle, every driver must take care to avoid harming others who use the roadways, including pedestrians. When a driver’s neglect of this responsibility causes a death, family members may seek compensation for their devastating loss. 

Speak to an Experienced Chicago Pedestrian Accident Lawyer Today

Walking has many benefits. It’s a good form of exercise, better for the environment, and offers an opportunity to enjoy a slower pace of daily life—whether you’re chatting with a friend, listening to a podcast, or simply taking in the sights around you. 

When drivers aren’t paying attention, however, serious injuries and death may result. And while the roads may be getting safer for drivers, they aren’t getting safer for pedestrians. 

If you’ve been injured in a pedestrian crash or lost a loved one, speak to the dedicated Chicago pedestrian accident lawyers at Briskman, Briskman & Greenberg today. Reach out to us to schedule a free, confidential case evaluation.