Car Accident Deaths - WI v. IL

The Illinois Department of Transportation recently released 2008 statistics reflecting a 16% drop in car accident fatalities in 2008.  Amongst the reasons suggested is increase use of seat belts, less driving, and new laws that make it difficult for teens to obtain drivers licenses.  The research also alludes to laws that eliminate driving distractions, i.e. laws that prohibit cell phone use while driving, laws forbidding texting while driving, etc.

I recently wrote about Wisconsin auto accident fatalities, which in 2008 were down 18% statewide.  Wisconsin’s study indicates much of the same reasons for the decrease.  However, laws forbidding cell phone usage are much less prevalent in Wisconsin than they are in Illinois, which suggests Illinois’s 16% drop was not influenced by the restrictive laws as much as it was other safe driving techniques.  The year 2009 will be a better test study into the relationship between laws and auto accident fatalities, as Illinois recently passed mandatory ignition interlock devices for first time Driving Under the Influence offenders.