As Summer Nears, Road Construction Heats Up
Illinois just concluded its 11th annual observation of National Work Zone Awareness Week, which fell on April 23-27 this year. This year’s safety week saw the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) unveiling an “Embrace the Orange” campaign, aimed at getting drivers to obey safety and traffic laws in road construction work zones and increasing the …
Americans Work Hard, Sleep Less—And that Could Make Illinois Roads More Dangerous For All Motorists
Almost 41 million American workers aren’t getting enough sleep—potentially putting themselves, their families, and their co-workers at risk. Drivers who are drowsy behind the wheel can be a real hazard for other Illinois motorists. According to a new study, carried out by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, working nights and working more …
That Car Looks Good, But Is It Safe?
Ever since the Chicago auto show wrapped up, almost everybody has written a “Best of” or “Worst of” list about the safety, efficiency and look of new vehicles. A recent list at cars.com, however, brings up an often overlooked danger in new car designs: poor rear visibility. As designers push autos to be safer, more …
Record Warmth Brings Risk Of Heatstroke Deaths In Cars
A recent article in the Chicago Tribune notes that this March was the warmest on record since scientists began keeping track in 1895. The average temperature in Illinois was about 55 degrees throughout March, records show. The previous record, in the low 50s, was set in 1946. Illinois wasn’t the only state feeling warmer: Missouri’s …
Do Automakers Focus Enough Attention on Child Safety?
We talked recently about how efforts to improve the crash safety of vehicles have also impacted the safety of some autos, using problems with rear visibility as an example. It seems that automakers’ safety concerns does not always extend to children passengers, according to a recent study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) …
Springfield Considers Cell Phone Ban for Drivers
A story appeared recently in the Chicago Tribune about a proposed cell phone ban in Springfield. The Springfield ban focuses on the use of hand-held cell phones while driving. Another proposal, under consideration in Evanston, would outlaw any cell use while driving—even hands-free. Much of the article focused on disagreements among researchers about the actual …
Reckless Driving By Authorities Results in Fatal Crashes, Jail
Two separate incidents of reckless driving which resulted in fatalities, one involving a Chicago police officer and one involving a Posen firefighter, appeared in recent news. The most recent headlines focused on 25-year-old Zachary Orel and his fatal crash into the Enbridge pipeline in the early hours of March 3. The accident killed Orel, a …
Wabash Expansion Plan Includes Bike Safety
The Illinois Department of Transportation recently held a series of public hearings to discuss plans to expand the width of Wabash Ave. from three to five lanes between Koke Mill Road and Moffet Street in Curran. In addition to changes to drainage, intersections and medians, bike pathways are included in the scope of the project. …
Pilot Fatigue-Related Safety Risks Much Higher Than Believed
A new poll by the National Sleep Foundation illustrates the need for concern of pilot fatigue among airline pilots.
Slow Down
This morning my wife strategically placed an article from today’s Chicago Tribune on the front seat of my car. The title: “Traffic report: Speed kills—Group seeks shift in safety focus.” According to the article, the Governors Highway Safety Association reported that little progress has been made in reducing the proportion of speed-related crashes in the …
