While there are fewer cars on the road and fewer car crashes, new data shows that the crashes that are happening are causing more severe injuries than before the pandemic.
According to WGN News, during the first week of March, there were 2,063 reported crashes in Chicago. That number began dropping after March 13, when the federal government declared a national emergency and continued to drop after Illinois’ Stay At Home Order took effect on March 21st. Last week, the number of crashes in Chicago was down to 803. Despite the drop in crashes, there has been an increase in crash severity.
Data from The Northwestern University Transportation Center shows a small increase in severe car crashes over the last month.