Many parents in Southern Illinois and Missouri may be paying attention to the criminal case in Cook County, Illinois, involving a woman accused of killing a 9-year-old boy in a car vs. bicycle accident last spring. The woman, 23, pleaded not guilty to charges of felony aggravated driving under the influence resulting in death and a hearing was scheduled to take place today regarding a possible plea deal.
Car accident deaths increased in Illinois in 2012
The Illinois Department of Transportation's Division of Traffic Safety is beginning to review traffic statistics from 2012 and it appears that the state's traffic fatalities may have increased by as much as 5 percent last year. According to the State Journal-Register, the mild winter may have led to increased traffic in 2012 and thus increased car accidents.
Widow of Illinois trooper sues trucking company after fatal crash
Illinois State Police troopers have very dangerous jobs. In order to keep our roads as safe as possible, they put themselves at risk when they pull over drivers and stand outside of their vehicles near traffic. Illinois has a "Move Over" law in order to keep these officers out of danger's way while they are doing their jobs. Under the Move Over Law, motorists must reduce their speed and move over one lane when an emergency vehicle is stopped with its lights flashing. When it is impossible to move over due to traffic, it is necessary to slow down and pass the scene safely.
Study: alarming number of drivers are sleeping at the wheel
Many people in Illinois think that drunk drivers cause the biggest risk on our roadways. While drunk drivers are certainly negligent and very hazardous, people may be surprised about another type of person that is behind the wheel in far too many vehicles: the sleepy driver.
