Illinois experienced 295,604 motor vehicle crashes in 2021 alone, according to a report by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
Motor vehicle accidents are a problem throughout Illinois, but some locations see more accidents than others. For example, Chicago and neighboring communities in Northeastern Illinois can be especially hazardous.
Crashes by county
Certain counties in Illinois stand out for their high number of car crashes. There were 156,289 crashes in Cook County, far more than any other county in Illinois. This is unsurprising as it is the most populous county in the state and is largely a dense urban environment.
Other counties with high numbers of accidents include Will County, Lake County, DuPage County and Kane County. These counties in the greater Chicagoland area contain significant commuter traffic and extensive roadway networks. Although McHenry County did not have as many crashes as some of its neighbors, there were still nearly 4,000 accidents and 18 fatal collisions in 2021.
Urban and rural roads
A significant portion of car accidents in Illinois happened on urban roads. These are the roads in cities and towns, areas in which many people live and work. In fact, over 61% of all crashes and about 66% of injury-related crashes occurred in these areas. Increased numbers of vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians contribute to the frequency of collisions.
Though city roads had more accidents overall, rural roads had their own risks. Accidents in rural areas often occur on highways or interstates and can be more dangerous due to the higher speeds involved.
Illinois communities can begin the process of improving road safety by identifying where accidents frequently occur.