Cameras to Bust Speeders (Illinois)

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | March 31, 2004 | Shamus Toomey

[RWR8189]

Radar-activated cameras would shoot photos of cars speeding through tollway work zones under a proposal from Gov. Blagojevich that also would hike fines for the speeders to as high as $1,000.

Four other states now use the cop-in-a-box technology to catch and ticket speeders, but Illinois would be the first to target highway work zones.

Forty-four people, including five road workers, were killed in Illinois work zones last year, state officials said. Two other highway workers were killed by drivers away from work zones in 2003, making it the deadliest construction season in at least five years.

The deaths launched a state task force and spurred Tuesday's proposals, which need to be approved by the General Assembly to take effect.

As part of the effort, the state on Tuesday unveiled a new "Keep Us Alive Drive 45" safety campaign, which uses bright orange ribbons to honor dead workers and remind people to watch out for the current workers.

"Before you get into your vehicle . . . think about the lives of others, the children who are left behind by reckless drivers, the husbands, the wives," said Anna Johnson. Her older sister, highway worker Tina Ball, was killed by an accused drunken driver last September in an Interstate 57 work zone.

"It just takes one split second to take the life of a hard-working person," Johnson said.

The governor's proposal would launch a pilot program to try out the speed-tracking cameras. Drivers going faster than 45 mph through construction zones when workers are present could activate a camera that photographs the car and license plate.

Similar to Chicago's system of catching red light runners on camera, the state would then mail a ticket to the car's owner. It would not be a moving violation but would carry a fine.

The governor moved to hike those fines Tuesday. Speeding through a work zone currently costs $200 for a first offense and $350 for subsequent tickets.

The new proposal would make the first offense a $500 ticket. Subsequent tickets would shoot to $1,000 apiece -- including $250 to fund more state troopers who would patrol the roads.

"Anybody who doesn't take these laws seriously will understand there are consequences from now on," Transportation Secretary Tim Martin said.

Several work zone changes don't need legislative approval and will take effect soon. They include:

*Placing plainclothes troopers with radar guns in construction vehicles to radio descriptions of speeding cars to troopers ahead.

*Spending $40,000 in grant money on 20 electronic flaggers that tell drivers to slow or stop. Each machine needs a worker to run it but allows the worker to stand several feet from the road.

*Installing large road signs that read "Hit a Worker, $10,000 fine, 14 yrs in jail." Last year's strategy of using children's names and handwriting on warning signs "evidently wasn't enough," said Martin.

[RightWhale]

The problem will take care of itself once gasoline hits $10 a quart. If there is any gasoline available.

[tortoise]

"It just takes one split second to take the life of a hard-working person," Johnson said.

But it can take years to kill off a lazy bastard...

[ErnBatavia]

Maybe dumb, but salient question? Does Illinois have front plates? For some reason, years ago I thought they didn't.

[steveegg]

Related?

Illegal immigrants could become legal drivers in Illinois.

[driftless]

A funny story, but it has URBAN LEGEND written all over it.

[RWR8189]

You know, of course, that when they first came out with the IL toll roads, they were only supposed to be needed for 20 years.

Ha, we saw how well that worked out.

Its starting to get quite ridiculous, I pay $2 every day in tolls going to work.

[RWR8189]

Yep, we have front plates.

[steveegg]

Why do I see a bunch of people suddenly registering their vehicles to 1066 W Addison in Chicago?

[fuquadukie]

Here in Pennsylvania, they started a new program in 2003 where the Speed Limit signs at construction zones have flashing lights signifying "Active" and, by extension, increased penalties. In fact, already reduced speed limits in many areas are supposed to decrease further only when "Active". Other times, the speed limit is increased. ("Speed Limit -- xxMPH When Flashing.")

The "flashing lights" are supposed to be turned on/off by the contractor at the beginning/end of the workday.

Guess what happens? Constantly? The "flashing lights" are ALWAYS frickin' flashing! A**hole Union workers are too lazy to turn the lights off.

I went through a construction zone in Mt. Lebanon (South of Pittsburgh) many times last Summer on my way to the golf course, sometimes as early 5:15AM... on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Flashing lights everywhere. Stupid.

[Starwolf]

Even our placid British cousins are fighting back against traffic cameras. http://www.speedcam.co.uk/index2.htm

Washington DC has just started ticketing with one and I'm sure it will get similar treatment soon enough.

They had some in Honolulu that were also taken away. They were manned cameras in vans. Apparently the operators were talked to a few times by the locals.

The key here is that the local jurisdictions contract it out, so they have no investment in them. Make it so it is not making a profit for the company and they will go away. Greenies are not the only ones who can monkey wrench. (Yes I understand what I am advocating).

[doberville]

Does this stuff really work? A LEO from Wales told us that
so far, nothing has worked to defeat those cameras.

[doberville]

Does this stuff really work? A LEO from Wales told us that
so far, nothing has worked to defeat those cameras.

[xzins]

I'm against it. It is purely a money-making gimmick.

They used it in Germany, and there's no appeal. Since you get the notice a week or more afterwards, you don't even remember any details.

Oppose it if it comes to your area.

[Kozak]

The plate covers do help, if you look at the plates straight on they look clear, if you look from an angle they get blurred out. THATS why they are not exactly legal in some areas where this has become a big source of revenue.

[Ford Fairlane]

In Illinois the signs say "speed limit xx when workers present"

and yes, they usually leave the lights on all the time and there are drivers & state cops both that think the speed limit applies whenever the lights are flashing, even if no workers are present

[Centurion2000]

so far, nothing has worked to defeat those cameras.

Shoot the cameras, so far I've seen 5-6 different speed limit signs with bullet holes in them on my way to work in Texas.

If they ever bring those cameras here, I'm sure they are going to last maybe a week before one of my neighbors opens up on them with a 12 gauge with slugs.

[TheRightGuy]

Illegal immigrants could become legal drivers in Illinois.

HB4003 was defeated just yesterday!

[steveegg]

HB4003 was defeated just yesterday!

Good news (probably as the thread I linked to was posted).

Now, about those cameras,....

[RobRoy]

"Maybe dumb, but salient question? Does Illinois have front plates? For some reason, years ago I thought they didn't."

Washington state requires a front plate. None of my cars since 1987 has had a front plate. I've been pulled over twice. Once I got a $35 ticket (back around 1991) and once I got a warning.

It's worth it. It really screws up the lines of the 300m.

BTW. Illinois has been agressively using traffic law violators to bolster its economy for the last couple of years. I'm sure some of you guys from Chicago can talk about what they started doing, RETROACTIVELY, to Ipass violators. Hmmm...

I've driven in the state on three trips. I HATE driving in that state and avoid it at all costs. The toll booths are beyond belief. Every time I came to one I stopped, asked the clerk how much I owed and then put the car in park and dug around for change before finally coming up with the proper ammount. If everyone did that, the tolls would not last.

Like captain kirk said in one episode, "and now you will know why war is a thing do be avoided."

Robroy version, "and now you will know why toll roads are a thing to be avoided."

[supercat]

Even our placid British cousins are fighting back against traffic cameras. http://www.speedcam.co.uk/index2.htm

There is something gratifying about those photos, isn't there?