Illinois traffic fatalities expected to reach 1,000 in 2016

SPRINGFILED, Ill. (AP) - Safety and insurance industry experts say Illinois traffic fatalities are expected to pass 1,000 this year for the first time since 2008 because of higher speeds, more miles driven and an increase in younger drivers on the road.

The State Journal-Register (http://bit.ly/2b9LrHn ) reports that 629 people had died in vehicle, motorcycle, pedestrian and bicycle crashes in Illinois this year as of Friday. The number is up 50 from the same period in 2015.

In 2015, there were a total of 998 traffic fatalities, which was the highest number since 1,043 died in 2008.

Ken Kolosh, statistics manager for the Itasca-based National Safety Council, says much of the rising toll has been on rural interstates.

Illinois raised speed limits on rural interstates from 65 mph to 70 mph at the beginning of 2014.

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This story has been corrected to show that the number of people who have died in traffic accidents this year is up 50 from the previous year, not up from 50 the previous year.

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Information from: The State Journal-Register, http://www.sj-r.com