In 2004 two on-the-job road workers died in construction zone auto accidents. The State of Illinois passed new laws that may prevent deaths in the future. In July 2006 State Troopers will be using specially equipped vans to take pictures of a driver's face and license plates who are caught speeding in construction zones on IDOT roads and in the Tollway system. The speed limits in the construction zones will be lowered to 45 MPH. The drivers will be mailed a ticket in the amount of $375 for the FIRST offense. If you get nabbed a second time the ticket price rises to $1,000 and a 90-day driver's license suspension. The icing on the speeding cake is that the drivers will also get demerit points that will raise their auto insurance premiums. If a driver hits a worker, he or she will face a possible penalty of a $10,000 fine and 14 years in prison. According to Illinois State Police Director Larry Trent, State Troopers will work on a zero-tolerance basis to issue the tickets. $125 from each ticket will be used to help pay for additional police staff. Officials will enforce the law even if workers are not present in the construction zones because of the dangers of "narrower lanes, lane jogs, reduced shoulder width , obstructions and drop-offs." The best plan is simply to comply with the posted speed limits on all Illinois roads and especially the construction areas. Be careful when you enter an expressway. People tend to step on the gas pedal and they often overreach the speed limits before they are aware of it. If you are the parents of teenage drivers, make sure they understand the severity of a construction zone ticket and the seriousness of the government in imposing fines. For more info, go to http://www.dot.state.il.us/press/r033005.html . |
