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Tracking Crash Data

Prof. Hani Mahmassani and the Northwestern Transportation Center is tracking automobile crash data in Chicago during the COVID-19 pandemic. Their analysis has shown that, while there have been fewer crashes overall, there is a slight increase in the severity of the crashes, particularly those involving pedestrians. It is likely a result of drivers moving faster on less congested roads.

 

According to the figure, there is a marked difference in the number of accidents following the federal declaration of a national emergency, and again after Illinois’s Stay at Home order that began on March 21st.

Prof. Mahmassani and the NUTC will continue to document and analyze road incidents during the pandemic.

To read more on the WGN Feature, “Fewer crashes, but more serious injuries in Chicago during pandemic, data shows”, click here.

To see Sarah Jindra’s Twitter post, click here.

To see the WTTW feature, click here.

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