How Traffic Congestion in Chicago Affects Car Accident Rates

Chicago wins a bronze medal in the Traffic Olympics. Motorists on  I-90, Lake Shore Drive, and the Loop all experience world-class traffic congestion. The question then is “Does congestion increase or decrease accident rates, and if so, how?” It seems obvious that congestion would lower car accident rates, but the reality is more nuanced.

Current traffic conditions

According to the 2024 Global Traffic Scorecard, Chicago ranks third in the world in traffic congestion. The U.S. Census Bureau, however, reports that the average commute time in Chicago is approximately 32.6 minutes one way -– 11th in the country. Chicago traffic faces problems with crumbling infrastructure caused by long-standing underfunding. Chicago also deals with limited availability of public transportation in some areas.

Does traffic congestion lead to more accidents?

Traffic congestion certainly lowers the average speed of Chicago traffic accidents. You might think that would decrease the severity of accidents, and in most cases, you would be right. Nevertheless, traffic congestion leads to an increase in the number of minor accidents.

Bumper-to-bumper traffic also encourages frustrated drivers to engage in risky behaviors such as aggressive driving and distracted driving.

Research by reputable entities such as the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) supports the conclusion that traffic congestion increases the frequency but reduces the severity of traffic accidents. Fatalities per mile decrease even while the number of accidents increases. This state of affairs stresses both emergency response and insurance systems.

Causes of car accidents that occur in congested traffic

Following are explanations of just a few of the causes of car accidents in congested traffic.

Stop-and-go traffic conditions

The “stop-and-go” traffic conditions that prevail in congested areas such as the Near North Side result in drivers failing to pay sufficient attention to the road. Rear-end accidents are particularly common, for example, because drivers misjudge stopping distances. Fender-benders and sideswipe accidents are also common because frustrated drivers often attempt risky last-second lane changes.

Congested intersections

Chicago’s urban design incorporates many intersections that are closely spaced with competing pedestrian, cyclist, and vehicle traffic. Congestion at intersections can trap motorists who enter an intersection but find that traffic prevents them from exiting. A motorist might find themselves trapped straddling a crosswalk, for example. This increases the likelihood of T-bone accidents when oncoming traffic does not expect to encounter a car in the middle of their lane.

Left turns

Left turns are particularly dangerous in congested areas. When a motorist has to wait five minutes for a single gap in oncoming traffic, they might execute a rushed or poorly judged turn. When a large vehicle blocks off visibility, the results of a poorly executed turn can be catastrophic.

The presence of numerous pedestrians and bicyclists

Pedestrians and bicyclists suffer disproportionately from the increase in accidents resulting from traffic congestion. Unlike motorists, pedestrians and bicyclists lack frame protection, which means they can suffer catastrophic injuries even in low-speed collisions.

Bicyclists often share lanes with slow-moving traffic on their left while they try to avoid parked cars to their right. This presents a double danger — collisions with slow-moving vehicles and “dooring” accidents, where someone in a parked car opens a car door into a bicycle lane. Pedestrians are particularly vulnerable in congested areas when impatient drivers run through crosswalks or turn left on red. “Right on red” turns also frequently result in pedestrian accidents.

Driver frustration

You might argue that frustration is the number one cause of traffic accidents in congested Chicago neighborhoods. Long delays, noise pollution, and the pressure to “make it on time” can cause even cautious drivers to take unjustified risks. Road rage, tailgating, and sudden lane changes are all more common in congested traffic.

Distracted driving

Waiting in traffic is boring. Stop-and-go traffic is even worse because you must endure the boredom while paying moment-by-moment attention to the road. Conditions like these might tempt a driver who is late for work to call in or text their office. Then, boom! A difficult situation becomes worse. Other forms of distracted driving include eating or even shaving while driving.

Tailgating

Drivers stuck in traffic tend to follow too closely, a practice known as tailgating. Tailgating is inherently dangerous, but it is even more hazardous during Chicago’s famous snowstorms, which drastically increase stopping distances. If a lead vehicle brakes suddenly, the result can be a chain-reaction crash involving several vehicles.

Possible solution #1: Improve public transit

Improvement of the public transit system should result in less traffic congestion and, consequently, fewer accidents. Some of the most popular suggestions include:

• Dedicated bus lanes in major traffic corridors.
• More frequent trains during peak hours.
• Modernization of infrastructure.

The better the quality of public transit, the thinking goes, the fewer people will feel the need to use their cars to commute. The severity of the remaining accidents might increase, however, as traffic moves faster. Building new homes and offices around pre-existing transport hubs can also improve access to public transit.

Possible solution #2: Improve cycling infrastructure

Some of the most popular suggestions for improving Chicago’s cycling infrastructure include:

• Increasing the number of bike lanes.
• Extending the bike lane network to places that it currently doesn’t serve.
• Expanding the bike-sharing program.

Dedicated bike lanes are particularly effective at reducing bicycle accidents, and outcomes might improve further with driver education. This should reduce the number of accidents involving cyclists.

Possible solution #3: Smart traffic technology

Technology cannot solve every problem (yet), but it can help solve some of them. Effective traffic technology might include red-light cameras, speed sensors, and adaptive traffic signals that respond to real-time congestion levels. These are a few options that Chicago could implement in the near future. In the long run, self-driving cars might nearly eliminate traffic accidents altogether.

Your chances of fair compensation are better with an experienced Chicago car accident lawyer

You might not need a lawyer for a minor traffic accident. The problem is that you might not know for sure whether your accident is minor until you speak to a lawyer. If you are wondering, contact Gainsberg Injury and Accident Lawyers at your earliest convenience. We work on the contingency fee system, which means we will not charge you attorney’s fees unless we win your case.