Belleville vs. St. Louis: 10-Year Trend in Distracted-Driving Crashes
Distracted driving continues to rank among the leading causes of catastrophic injuries and fatalities in traffic accidents. In the metro east region, an objective assessment of the past decade’s accident data reveals important trends related to Belleville, Illinois, and St. Louis, Missouri, when it comes to distracted-driving crashes.
At Hipskind & McAninch, LLC, our car accident attorneys have reviewed 10 years of crash reports and regional data to analyze how distracted driving behaviors impact the safety of communities on both sides of the Mississippi River.
Distracted Driving Accidents in St. Louis
Like much of the country, in St. Louis, MO, the menace of distracted driving has distinctly escalated over the last 10 years. In St. Louis and across the state, distracted driving has contributed to roughly 14% of all accidents in the last decade.
Put another way, that works out to about 13 distracted driving crashes for every 1,000 residents. The risk is even higher for younger drivers. For drivers 21 and below, the rate jumps to about 43 crashes per 1,000 residents. This is more than triple the state average.
Cell phone use while driving is a big part of the problem. In 2017 alone, phone use was linked to about 12% of distracted driving-related accidents in St. Louis. But phones aren’t the only culprits. Drivers are also getting pulled away by outside distractions (about 20%), conversations with passengers (6%), changing the radio (4%), and even eating or drinking while behind the wheel (3.5%).
Notably, St. Louis County in the last 10 years has ranked at number six in the state for distracted-driving crashes, with a rate as high as 18.6 incidents per 1,000 residents. Among drivers under 21, the numbers go up to nearly 53 crashes per 1,000 residents, indicating a high percentage of young drivers engaging in this dangerous driving behavior.
Distracted Driving Accidents in Belleville
In Belleville, IL, distracted driving has emerged as a real safety threat in the last 10 years, which continues to take a heavy toll. Widespread use of cell phones while driving is a primary culprit, and the numbers make the danger hard to ignore. In 2020, distracted driving behaviors accounted for 171 fatal crashes in Belleville and across the state.
As many as 193 people never made it home to their families in these crashes. These alarming figures over the past decade have put Belleville and Illinois among the worst in the country, with the state ranking eighth for distraction-related traffic fatalities. To push back against this growing challenge, Illinois has taken a stern legal position.
Handheld phones are off-limits for anyone behind the wheel, and only drivers aged 19 and older are legally permitted to use hands-free devices. These laws are meant to send a strong reminder: a glance at your phone while you’re driving is never worth the risk. Every motorist has a role to play in making sure Belleville’s roads stay safe for everyone.
Why Distracted Driving Crashes Are on the Rise
Despite years of safety campaigns in both St. Louis and Belleville, distracted driving continues to rise for several reasons:
- Smartphone dependency: People rely on their phones for everything from maps to communication, making it harder to disconnect.
- False sense of security: Drivers overestimate their ability to “glance” without consequence.
- Work pressures: Delivery drivers, rideshare operators, and commuters sometimes feel pressured to stay connected even on the road.
- Technology creeps: Even hands-free systems can still pull attention away from the road, as mental focus shifts to conversations or commands instead of driving.
Get Legal Representation from Our Experienced Car Accident Lawyers in Belleville and St. Louis
Hipskind & McAninch, LLC represents injury victims throughout St. Louis and southern Illinois, including Belleville. With a stellar 99% success rate and a formidable record of over $10 million recovered through settlements & verdicts for clients, our law firm is strongly positioned to take on large insurance companies and powerful defendants.
Our seasoned car accident attorneys will leave no stone unturned to prove liability of the negligent driver and recover maximum compensation for your injuries and losses. To schedule your free consultation, call us at 618-342-7226 or contact us online.
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