Fatal crash rates increased in Illinois in April despite a significant drop in traffic while the state remained under a stay-at-home order.

Preliminary estimates from the National Safety Council show a year-over-year 36.6% increase nationally in fatality rates per miles driven in April, in spite of an 18% drop in the total number of roadway deaths compared to April 2019. Illinois’ fatality rate rose 6 percent.

The actual number of miles driven dropped 40% compared to the same time period last year.

National Safety Council Statistics Manager Ken Kolosh said with fewer cars on the roadways, some drivers put the pedal to the metal.

Kolosh says congestion helps maintain or decrease the speed at which we travel. But, he says that now with the more open roads, people are using that as a ticket for speeds that are certainly unsafe.