Leslie's Omnibus

Rules of the Road

If you're from out of state and planning to visit Illinois any time soon, you need to be aware of this:

Illinois will begin using photo radar in freeway work zones in July.

Second offense tickets are $1,000 with license suspension.

Beginning in July the State of Illinois will use speed cameras in areas designated as "work zones" on major freeways. Anyone caught by the devices will be mailed a $375 ticket for the first offense, but a second ticket will cost $1000 and comes with a 90-day license suspension. Drivers will also receive demerit points against their license, which allows insurance companies to raise their insurance rates. This represents the harshest penalty structure yet for a city using photo enforcement.

The state will begin with two camera vans issuing tickets in zones with speed limits lowered to 45 MPH. Photographs of both the driver's face and license plate are taken. Officials announced the plan on the Dan Ryan Expressway suggesting Chicago area roads are likely to be a target. Illinois Tollway Executive Director Jack Hartman promised more work zones: "Since the Tollway just launched our $5.3 billion Congestion Relief Plan, drivers will see more work zones on the Tollway than they have in the past."

(A tip of the cap to Kim N.)
_____
Leslie

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

Only in construction zones, though, right? as in, everywhere?

Morons. I have to drive through that every day. The people planning that construction should be shot.

Omnibabe said...

Yes, only in construction zones. I think the reason for this is that we had a couple of construction workers killed last summer. While I agree that the planning should be better, if it keeps the construction workers safe, I guess it's a good thing to do this.

Omnibabe said...

The "proof" is in the radar gun, I guess.

Babylonandon said...

Welcome to Wisconsin!!