Map of Traffic Accidents Showcases Why Chicagoans May Be Bad Drivers
A map detailing all recorded Chicago traffic accidents by neighborhood from March 5, 2021 to early morning March 7, 2021 showcases the astronomical amount of recorded traffic accidents with amounts of damage.
According to data collected by the City of Chicago, over 349 traffic accidents have occurred in Chicago neighborhoods over the course of three days. With a stigma or aggressive drivers, Chicago Data Portal provides evidence of neighborhood traffic accidents that reiterates the stigma.
By neighborhood, recorded traffic accidents vary, but nearly no neighborhood is left untouched with all but three Chicago neighborhoods presenting a clean slate.
Areas of the city with the least amount of traffic accidents appear to be neighborhoods including Back of the Yards, Garfield Ridge, Little Village, Humboldt Park, and Norwood Park, with progressively increasing amounts of recorded accidents nearing the Loop.
39% of the total accidents were unable to be related to a direct cause. Only one of the accidents was a result of driving under the influence. All four of the accidents related to the cause of erratic driving resulted in damage over $1,500, all in neighborhoods with posted speed limits of 30 miles per hour. 11% of the total accidents were attributed to tailing, or following vehicles too closely without the proper amount for a safe stop if necessary. This also being a common cause for road rage could further imply that some of these accidents may be a result of road rage.
With a range of speed limits, 73% of the total accidents occurred on streets marked with 30 mile per hour speed limits. This can highlight impatience of drivers with a speed limit on the lower end of the spectrum.
61% of accidents amounted to at least $318,000 in damages, assuming all accidents only costed $1,500. This data implies that a more than half of these accidents were not only costly, but resulted in more damage, insinuating more dangerous accidents. Only 11% of accidents resulted in less than $500 in damages and 28% of accidents falling somewhere between $501 and $1,500.
On a positive note, only one accident was deemed a result of improper marking or road defect. Only one accident was due to phone use other than texting.
