Illinois started the new year with a bit of good news: highway fatalities declined slightly in the second half of 2012, according to the Illinois Department of Transportation.  The bad news is that 2012 numbers overall are still up from the previous year: 918 people died on Illinois roads in 2011, while 957 died in 2012.

One program the Illinois DOT has introduced is a simple reminder to drivers–flashing the numbers of highway fatalities on electronic signs on the highways. The idea is to raise drivers’ awareness of just how dangerous the roads can be, which officials hope will spur drivers to pay attention to the road and encourage safer driving habits.  While officials can’t say whether the sign program is linked to the decline in deaths, the program is continuing in 2013.

McCready Law represents the families of people who are killed and injured in highway crashes, and we’ve seen firsthand how terrible the consequences of an auto accident can be.  We hope you’ll play it safe in the new year– please, buckle your seat belt, use your turn signals, and don’t talk or text while driving.  And we’re here to help– so if you or a loved one has suffered as the result of a car accident, we invite you to contact our Chicago law firm for a free consultation at (773) 779-9885. We wish you all the best in 2013.