Fewer traffic deaths in 2006 But not all suburbs followed the state trend.(News)

0 Comments | Daily Herald (Arlington Heights, IL), January, 2007 | by Hoekstra, Nate

Byline: Nate Hoekstra Daily Herald Staff Writer SPRINGFIELD - The number of traffic deaths on Illinois roads in 2006 was the lowest it's been since 1924, but three suburban counties bucked the trend. New numbers released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Transportation show Kane, McHenry, and Will counties recorded more fatalities last year than in 2005, while DuPage and Lake saw decreases.

In suburban Cook County, the number of crashes involving a death dropped to 167 in 2006 from 172 the previous year. Exactly how many people died in those crashes was not available. Given the increase in cars and people over the last 82 years it seems hard to believe the number of deaths could be lower. But Matt Vanover, an Illinois Department of Transportation...