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May 19, 2012 /24-7PressRelease/ -- An investigative report published in the Chicago Tribune found a startling number of errors in Chicago's traffic accident reports - errors that may skew the data that informs public safety legislation in the city.
Chicago Data Versus State Records
The study compared state and municipal records of Chicago's accident reports. It found that for years Chicago traffic accident reports have been wildly inaccurate, with traffic fatalities underreported as much as 179 percent.
The study looked at city traffic accident reports from 2006. Of the reports analyzed, 70 percent were missing crucial data, including street names and the nearness of the crash to an intersection. That year, the Chicago Police Department reported 63 traffic deaths, but state numbers show 176 fatalities.
In addition, some types of accidents and injuries are over-reported by the city. Again in 2006, the city reported 4,905 pedestrian-vehicle accidents, while the state only found 3,909.
The discrepancy between Chicago Police Department data and Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) records is a consequence of different data entering and monitoring protocols. For example, the Chicago Police Department enters data exactly as it appears on the report, replicating errors made in the field. IDOT, on the other hand, checks reports manually and electronically, and then follows up on incomplete reports.
How Faulty Data Impacts Public Safety
The way Chicago collects data paints an unclear picture of the traffic fatality rates in the city, which means lawmakers are not thoroughly informed of the public safety issues impacting the city. The Chicago Police Department only counts victims that die at the scene of the accident as traffic fatalities. However, IDOT follows up on accident reports and includes the deaths of victims that occur in hospitals hours or days later.
The lack of accuracy may impact public safety, especially when injuries and deaths occur during a crash. Incomplete or erroneous reports may cause lawmakers to change safety laws based on faulty data, including the red light cameras that have been installed at city intersections in recent years.
Until more care is taken in tracking Chicago accident statistics, the city will continue to be left in the dark regarding its road safety issues. If you or a loved one has been injured in a traffic accident in the city of Chicago, please contact an experienced personal injury attorney to be advised of your rights and options.
Article provided by Woodruff Johnson & Palermo, Injury Law Offices
Visit us at www.woodrufflawyers.com
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