Those walking around The Windy City have reason for concern. According to the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), pedestrian deaths in the city have risen significantly over the past five years. Contrary to what drivers may think, this is not due to pedestrians jaywalking or jumping out in front of cars. In fact, most pedestrian deaths in Chicago happen in intersections when people are using a crosswalk to get across the street.
“Drivers simply need to start giving pedestrians the room they need to cross a street safely,” says Lawrence Disparti of Disparti Law Group, P.A. “Pedestrians always have the right-of-way when they are in a crosswalk. Even if the light has changed, drivers are required to stop. Unfortunately, too many drivers in Chicago are impatient, cutting pedestrians off and placing them at risk.”
More drivers are engaging in this type of behavior, too. City data shows that in 2017, 46 people in Chicago died after being hit by a vehicle while walking in an intersection. That was two more people than the 44 pedestrians killed in intersections the year before.
That city data is backed up by findings from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The federal agency found that in Chicago, 75 percent of pedestrian accidents occurred in or near intersections. Most of these accidents were preventable if only drivers had paid closer attention to traffic signals.
There are several reasons for the steady incline in pedestrian accidents. Ride-sharing programs such as Uber and Lyft have meant an increase in the number of vehicles on the road. The increased number of drivers using smartphones has also contributed to the rise in pedestrian accidents, even though in Illinois it is illegal to use a handheld device while driving.
What will make drivers slow down and take more notice of pedestrians at intersections? With the trend on an upward climb for the past five years, it is difficult to say. Increasing penalties for drivers disobeying the law is a potential answer. Currently, drivers are only fined $500 for violating Chicago’s crosswalk laws. That fee may seem high to drivers. However, considering that pedestrians are no match for vehicles when there is a crash and that many of these accidents are fatal for the pedestrian struck, a fine is a small price to pay.
