Shocking Study Names Illinois’ Most Dangerous Roads

Illinois Car Fatality Study Reveals the State’s Most Dangerous Highways

A newly released nationwide traffic safety study is drawing attention to car fatalities in Illinois, and the numbers are both shocking and concerning for drivers across the state.

Shocking Car Fatality Numbers in Illinois

According to the study, more than 128,000 fatal car crashes occurred across the United States during the years analyzed. Illinois alone reported 5,524 fatal crashes, a staggering figure that highlights ongoing safety concerns on the state’s roadways.

It’s important to note that this data focuses only on Illinois highways and does not include interstates. If interstate crashes were factored in, both the nationwide total and Illinois’ numbers would likely be significantly higher.

Most Dangerous Highways in Illinois

The study also identified the most dangerous highways in Illinois, based on the number of fatal crashes reported:

I-55: 108 fatal crashes
I-57: 106 fatal crashes
I-94: 82 fatal crashes
I-80: 56 fatal crashes

Clark Van Der Beken on Unsplash

How Illinois Compares to Other States

The study, released by iSelect, also ranked the states with the riskiest roads in America. Mississippi, Texas, Tennessee, Wyoming, and Louisiana topped that list. While Illinois did not rank among the most dangerous states overall, the data indicate that there is still significant room for improvement in roadway safety.

What’s Causing These Crashes?

While the study did not break down specific causes, experts point to several common factors behind fatal car crashes in Illinois and nationwide. Distracted driving, drinking and driving, and dangerous weather conditions are all likely contributors to these tragic outcomes.

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For parents, especially those with new or soon-to-be drivers, this information is unsettling. As someone preparing to put a new driver on the road, these numbers are terrifying. Unfortunately, the only real option is preparation: teaching young drivers how to stay focused, recognize risky situations, and make safe choices behind the wheel.

LOOK: See how much gasoline cost the year you started driving

To find out more about how has the price of gas changed throughout the years, Stacker ran the numbers on the cost of a gallon of gasoline for each of the last 84 years. Using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (released in April 2020), we analyzed the average price for a gallon of unleaded regular gasoline from 1976 to 2020 along with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for unleaded regular gasoline from 1937 to 1976, including the absolute and inflation-adjusted prices for each year.

Read on to explore the cost of gas over time and rediscover just how much a gallon was when you first started driving.

Gallery Credit: Sophia Crisafulli

LET'S GO Back to the '80s: The Coolest Cars and the Ads That Sold Them

Whether you dreamed of cruising in a Porsche 944 like Jake Ryan, showing off in an IROC-Z, or riding shotgun with KITT from Knight Rider, the cars of the '80s had something for everyone. Some were fast, some were flashy, and some just got you to tennis practice. Keep scrolling to see the most iconic cars of the decade — and the ads that convinced us we needed them.

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz