Deaths on Illinois roads jumped by about 24% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same time last year. Experts say the pandemic forces driving a nationwide increase aren’t showing signs of slowing down soon.
It's not just violent crime that's been on the increase across the country over the past few years. Traffic fatalities have climbed by more than 20% since 2020, and are on pace to be nearly twice the number of homicides this year.
Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said America faces a crisis on its roads. The safety administration urged state and local governments, drivers and safety advocates to join in an effort to reverse the rising death trend.