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Speeding through work zones = hefty fines
Paul Sassone
Updated: April 25, 2012 1:58PM
They’re getting good at it.
Various governments plundering our wallets while making it difficult for us to complain, that is.
Speed cameras, specifically. If some government officials have their way, there will be speed cameras at every intersection, near every school, near every park.
Streets are being covered as a safety measure, we are told. Additional revenue is merely by the way.
Right.
Well, here’s the latest safety measure.
Hold onto your wallets.
Illinois law permits state police to declare as speed zones work areas on interstate highways. Posted speed limits then can be enforced by speed cameras. The law allows tickets to be issued to drivers who are traveling less than 30 mph over the speed limit in these work areas. No police officer need be present. Click, goes the camera and the driver receives a ticket in the mail.
And what a ticket it is.
Opening the mail one morning, the Offender will find a ticket ordering him or her to appear in county circuit court.
The minimum fine that will be imposed is $250 plus court costs. The total will be approximately $375. But wait, folks, there’s more.
Normally in Illinois an adult driver’s license can be suspended for three moving violations in 12 months.
There’s an exception, though. The law directs the secretary of state to suspend the license of anyone with two work-zone speeding violations within 24 months. There also is a fine of $1,000.
So, now you’re angry, either at the state or at me.
The state of Illinois for
reaching even deeper into our threadbare pockets.
Or, at me because I am condoning speeding through work zones.
Illinois government can defend itself. But I assure you I am not in favor of speeding through work zones when workers are present. But what about when workers are not present?
And have you ever tried to slow down for a highway work zone? Way too often the guy behind you not only doesn’t want to slow down to 45 mph, he’s doing 30 mph over the regular highway speed limit.
A policeman on the scene might see that and issue tickets accordingly.
A speed camera sees nothing but numbers.
Well, you’ve been warned. Slow down.
