Earlier this spring, a self-driving car struck and killed a woman, and it made national news. News about the deadly pedestrian accident involving an autonomous vehicle has increased the public’s concerns about the safety of self-driving cars. Can autonomous technology really prevent auto accidents, or do we need to be more concerned about software mistakes and other technological errors that could lead to deadly collisions between self-driving vehicles and pedestrians?

According to a recent article in U.S. News & World Report, drivers are more skeptical than ever of the safety value of self-driving cars, and many believe that they are likely to cause more car crashes than to prevent them. The study reports that, in order for people to trust autonomous technology, they would need evidence that it is significantly safer than human drivers.

Weighing the Risks and Benefits of Self-Driving Cars

If you are planning a family road trip this summer that takes you away from DuPage County, it is important to consider the risks of a serious car accident while you are on the road. No one plans for a devastating motor vehicle collision, but they happen more often than most of us assume, and they frequently occur because of another driver’s negligence.

While negligence can take many forms, one of the more frequent reasons for crashes during extended road trips is drowsy driving. It is more difficult for a driver to stay alert—and to stay awake—behind the wheel after hours on the road without a break. According to a recent article in the Claims Journal, auto accidents caused by drowsy driving are more likely to occur farther away from rest stops.

Rest Areas Help to Prevent Fatigued Driving Crashes on Highways

While Illinois certainly is not a state on the ocean, many Lombard residents routinely spend summer vacations boating on Lake Michigan and the other Great Lakes. However, sometimes people do not think about the serious boat accident risks that can arise when out on the water. Boats are motor vehicles. Therefore, if people are not careful, serious crashes can lead to life-threatening personal injuries.

Always Wearing a Life Jacket on the Water

The National Safe Boating Council recently introduced a campaign called “Wear It,” which encourages anyone who plans to go boating to take the “Life Jacket Pledge.” What is the pledge? In short, it is a promise to be safe and responsible out on the water. Safety means always wearing a life jacket. Those who take the pledge agree to the following:

What causes motorcycle crashes in Lombard and throughout DuPage County? Understanding the reasons for motorcycle accidents can help riders and motorists alike to take preventive measures. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) released a Motorcycle Crash Causation Study (MCCS), which addresses some of the underlying reasons for motorcycle collisions on major roads and smaller streets across the country. After considering the causes for these crashes, motorcyclists and automobile drivers should think carefully about safety, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides an extensive pamphlet on motorcycle safety tips for anyone on the road.

Get the Facts About the Motorcycle Crash Causation Study

There are nearly 4,500 motorcycle crash deaths each year, and that number has been rising almost every year since 1997. Congress mandated the MCCS in order to determine what causes most severe and deadly motorcycle crashes, and ultimately to consider new ways to prevent these accidents from happening in the first place. How did the researchers gather information? Several different investigation and analytical tools were used, including but not limited to:

Hit-and-run accidents have been a serious problem in DuPage County, Cook County, and throughout the Chicago area for quite some time now. According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, the problem may be getting worse.

Indeed, a new study highlights that deadly hit-and-run crashes are at a historical high. For Chicagoland residents, that news is particularly devastating given the recent string of hit-and-run collisions that have injured and killed motorists and pedestrians alike. For example, last summer a police officer and a civilian suffered injuries in a hit-and-run accident, and a pedestrian was struck and killed by a hit-and-run driver while attempting to cross the street last month.

What should pedestrians and motorists alike know about the rising rates of hit-and-run crashes?