Road Deaths Up In Illinois, Down Across U.S.

Illinois is bucking a national trend by logging an increase in traffic fatalities. According to the National Safety Council, preliminary estimates show road deaths in the state are up 4 percent in the first six months of the year, despite falling nationwide by about 1 percent. Ken Kolosh, manager of statistics with the National Safety Council, says Illinois is seeing a large increase in what are called “vulnerable road user” deaths. The group includes pedestrians, bicyclists and motorcyclists. “We saw a 22 percent increase in just pedestrian deaths in Illinois,” Kolosh said.