An ambulance travels down a street in Chicago. (Photo courtesy bradhoc/flickr)

By Jim Anderson/Illinois Radio Network

Illinois will see a decline in car crash fatalities this year.

With one day to go, the statewide total for the year is 907. Last year at this time, it was 984. Carson Quinn of IDOT explains the decline:

“Fatality numbers were down in the early part of the year due to the exceptionally harsh winter and reduction in travel, but safer vehicles are being made. We’re also designing, building and maintaining our roads better than ever before, and more safety-focused traffic laws are being implemented,” she said. In 2014, the law banning the use of hand-held phones while driving took effect.

Illinois road deaths were over 1,000 every year from 1921 through 2008, but have been under 1,000 since. IDOT says its goal is zero, but being under 1,000 is nice, and being under 900 next year would be nicer.

In 2009, the total was 911, the lowest since before 1921. A safe final day would bring this year in under that figure.