We're told that the death rate in accidents in Illinois is on track to be the best year since 1924.
Why is 1924 so significant?
- There weren't even driver's licenses required in Illinois in 1924. (Not until 1939, and no real tests until 1953.)
- 1924 is the first year Illinois had over 1 million cars. Now there are probably closer to 9 million.
- There were no 'freeways' in 1924. Wacker Drive wasn't even built yet. Most of the current state highway system had not been designated or paved. The current US Interstate Highway system didn't exist. The PREVIOUS US Interstate Highway system didn't exist then. (What are now called US Highways, prior to 1956 were known as US Interstate highways.)
- This ought to make Mike happy: The most common car in 1924 was the F-O-R-D Ford made out of TIN and board. . . . . Toyotas did not yet exist. VWs didn't yet exist. WW2 was just a wild idea in a guy's head down in Landsburg Prison.
- Marajuhana was legal, but alcohol was not.