The Risks of the Road
Bloody 66 and Insurance
Illinois Route 66 was dangerous. Curves, crossroads, and bridge abutments doomed many speeding motorists, giving rise to the nickname, “Bloody 66.” After World War II, curves were straightened, towns bypassed, and four lanes built to improve safety. New laws enforced by Illinois State Police slowed speeders. Insurance companies, like Bloomington’s State Farm, offered motorists protection from loss should they have an accident.
State Farm Insurance: Sharing Risk
A small rural mutual insurance company began here in 1922. Its founder, George Mecherle, believed that since farmers drove less and had fewer losses than city drivers, they should pay less for insurance. With a reputation for low rates and fair payments on claims, State Farm quickly grew into the largest auto insurer in America.
Accidents on Bloody 66
Patrolman Chester Henry investigates a 1959 accident on Route 9 east of Bloomington. From 1957 to his retirement in 1984, Route 66 was a part of his daily life.
“I would pull just about anyone over to issue a ticket including TV and country music celebrities, as well as politicians headed to and from the statehouse in Springfield,” – Lieutenant Chest Henry.
Chester Henry set a record one year for most tickets written. Wary motorists slowed down when they came through his Route 66 patrol area between Dwight and Atlanta. He was inducted into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame in 1993.
Illinois Route 66 was dangerous. Curves, crossroads, and bridge abutments doomed many speeding motorists, giving rise to the nickname, “Bloody 66.” After World War II, curves were straightened, towns bypassed, and four lanes built to improve safety. New laws enforced by Illinois State Police slowed speeders. Insurance companies, like Bloomington’s State Farm, offered motorists protection from loss should they have an accident.
State Farm Insurance: Sharing Risk
A small rural mutual insurance company began here in 1922. Its founder, George Mecherle, believed that since farmers drove less and had fewer losses than city drivers, they should pay less for insurance. With a reputation for low rates and fair payments on claims, State Farm quickly grew into the largest auto insurer in America.
Accidents on Bloody 66
Patrolman Chester Henry investigates a 1959 accident on Route 9 east of Bloomington. From 1957 to his retirement in 1984, Route 66 was a part of his daily life.
“I would pull just about anyone over to issue a ticket including TV and country music celebrities, as well as politicians headed to and from the statehouse in Springfield,” – Lieutenant Chest Henry.
Chester Henry set a record one year for most tickets written. Wary motorists slowed down when they came through his Route 66 patrol area between Dwight and Atlanta. He was inducted into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame in 1993.
