State’s photo radar vans not new

June 30th, 2009 at 02:25pm Thomas V. Bona

There’s a forwarded email going around suggesting that the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Illinois Tollway will start photo enforcement of speeding laws in construction zones tomorrow. It’s true, except for the timing - the program started in 2005. But since the Internet is all excited about it again, the highway agencies sent an update out this month. Here’s the key info:

The law states that first-time work zone speeders, including those caught on camera, will be hit with a fine of $375, with $125 of that sum going to pay off-duty State Troopers to provide added enforcement in construction or maintenance zones. Two-time offenders are subject to a $1,000 fine, including a $250 surcharge to hire Troopers, and the loss of their license for 90 days. Tickets received in a work zone require a mandatory court appearance

So don’t think you can speed through a construction zone just because you don’t see a cop. He could be sitting in a van taking your picture, and you won’t know until you get the ticket in the mail. There have been 8,000 issued statewide since 2005.

State officials say it’s one of the reasons construction zone accidents are down so much. “In 2003, there were 44 work zone traffic related fatalities with 5 workers killed. 2007 showed a consistent decrease resulting in 21 traffic related work zone fatalities with 2 workers killed.”

(Credit to the always helpful Snopes.com for being all over this)

EDIT: I started writing this last week and got sidetracked. In the interim, our wonderful editorial page did a better job clarifying the matter Monday. Sorry I missed it, Wally!)

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