Here are some of the top ways you can take steps to minimize the number of motor vehicle accidents, maximize safety, and reduce the total economic cost of car accidents across Illinois in the country:
Always Wear a Seatbelt
Approximately $69 billion in medical care, lost productivity, and other injury-related costs were saved by accident victims using seat belts. This number could be even more significant with wider use of seatbelts. Preventable damage caused by not wearing seatbelts accounts for about 5% of the total economic loss.
Never Drink and Drive
Drunk driving is still one of the more common causes of car crashes in the U.S. and by far one of the most expensive. According to the CDC, taxpayers pay nearly $44 billion to cover economic costs associated with drunk driving.
Don’t Use Your Smartphone
Don’t text, check your email, eat, or distract yourself while driving. Almost as much damage can be caused by driving distracted as can be caused by driving drunk. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the economic costs of distracted driving amounted to $129 billion in 2021.
Be Careful of Speed Limits
According to the NHTSA, car crashes involving a vehicle driving over the posted limits account for approximately $52 billion annually. Speeding cars often get into worse accidents and can cause more damage.