Photo radar no urban legend on Illinois highways
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| Bureau County drivers that use Interstate 80 have many opportunities to deal with construction zones this summer. Drivers need to obey the posted speed limits, whether workers are present or not. Law enforcement officials have promised to monitor the construction zones carefully. (BCR photo/Donna Barker) |
Did you hear the one about how the planet Mars will make a once-in-a-lifetime close approach to Earth in August?
What about how everybody’s cell phone number is going to be released to telemarketers?
Or how about how Illinois will begin using using photo radar in freeway work zones beginning July 1?
Well, you can’t believe everything you read on the Internet. The first two items are just plain false, and while the third one has some truth to it, Illinois began using photo radar on July 1, 2005, four years ago.
In March 2005, the Illinois Department of Transportation announced state troopers would deploy specially equipped vans that could take photographs of drivers speeding in construction and maintenance zones. IDOT said first-time work zone speeders, including those caught on camera, would be hit with a fine of $375. Two-time offenders would be subject to a $1,000 fine and could lose their license for 90 days. In addition, drivers who hit a worker would be subject for up to a $10,000 fine and 14 years in prison.
On Wednesday, IDOT issued a reminder to motorists about the photo radar vehicles. This summer, five vans will be deployed across the state to take photographs of drivers speeding in construction and maintenance zones. Tickets are reviewed and approved by the Illinois State Police and will be issued by mail to vehicle owners. The registered owner will not be liable if someone else is driving the vehicle.
The law appears to be working, at least in preventing deaths. In 2003, there were 44 work zone traffic related fatalities with five workers killed. 2007 showed a consistent decrease resulting in 21 traffic related work zone fatalities with two workers killed. Motorists represent 85 to 90 percent of the fatalities in work zones. There are more than 7,000 crashes in highway work zones every year in Illinois, resulting in about 2,600 injuries.
While drivers should obey work zone speed limits for their own safety and that of others, they can take comfort in knowing exactly when and where the photo radar vans are operating. Signs indicating that speeds are photo enforced by automated traffic control systems will be clearly posted in the area where the systems may be in use. In addition, the vans will have a speed indicator device that will be triggered by separate radar and will communicate the vehicle’s speed to the motorist.
But it doesn’t mean full speed ahead if no signs are present.
“As the work zone season is well underway, we want to remind motorists the importance of slowing down and staying alert when workers are present,” said Illinois State Police Director Jonathan E. Monken. “In an effort to reduce fatalities and injuries, troopers will be out in force strictly enforcing the 45 mile per hour work zone speed limit, both for the safety of construction workers and motorists. Drivers can expect to see aggressive enforcement with increased patrol cars, photo enforcement vans and motorcycle units to help save lives on our roadways during this construction season.”
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