Study: Illinois Tops Nation for Traffic Sign Violations, New Data Reveals

Drivers in Illinois ignore traffic signs more than any other state in the U.S., according to a new study by Nicolet Law, a personal injury firm. The analysis of five years of fatal crash data (2019–2024) found that 1 in 6 fatal crashes in Illinois involved a driver running a stop sign, ignoring a yield, or breezing past another road warning. Illinois scored 97 out of 100 on the sign-compliance index, the highest in the nation.

The study ranked all 50 states based on two key metrics: the number of fatal crashes linked to sign violations and the share of all fatal crashes in each state caused by such violations. Researchers also tracked how often residents in each state searched online for help with traffic sign tickets, which served as a proxy for enforcement frequency. New Hampshire ranked as the most compliant state with the lowest score of 0.

Wisconsin stood out with the highest share of fatal crashes tied to sign violations at 18.9%, despite having a relatively low total number of crashes. Kansas followed closely at 16.5%. Texas and Florida reported the highest absolute numbers of fatal crashes involving sign violations, but their percentages were lower compared to smaller states.

In Illinois, nearly 1,500 drivers were involved in fatal crashes linked to sign violations over five years. About 75,500 Illinois residents search for help with traffic tickets online each month, suggesting frequent enforcement. In New York, failure to yield the right-of-way was the most common violation, accounting for over 600 deaths.

Nevada mirrored Illinois with 1 in 6 fatal crashes involving ignored signs, with nearly half occurring in work zones. Missouri saw about 1 in 7 fatal crashes tied to sign violations, while Georgia’s failure-to-yield violations represented over half of its sign-related deaths. Russell Nicolet, president of Nicolet Law, noted that many drivers either misidentify signs or misunderstand their meaning.

He also highlighted cases where poor vision, faded signs, or obstructions played a role. The study underscores the deadly stakes for motorcyclists, who are particularly vulnerable when drivers disregard traffic controls. The findings serve as a stark reminder for riders to exercise extreme caution in high-risk states.