Chicago City Council Passes Speed Camera Ordinance

The Chicago Trubune reported this week that Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel’s controversial speeder camera law was finally passed by alderman. The vote was approved 33 to 14. The law did not pass without a few changes by Emanuel, who had received criticism by the press and by constituents, who suggested the cameras were money making opportunity by the city. Emanuel, who has claimed from day one that these were aimed to save children’s lives, made a few changes to the law before the vote. First, the cameras hours of operation will be limited from 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, near schools and parks. Second, the fine for speeders driving 6 to 10 mph over the speed limit will see a fine of $35 rather than $50.

Most interestingly here is that Emanuel admitted that the research initially used by his office was faulty. He admitted it was “error-ridden” and should not have been released. Specifically, the Chicago Tribune previously reported that the cameras would show a 26% decrease in accidents rather than the 60% suggested by the mayor’s office.
I hope this idea works and people are mindful when driving near schools and parks. I can predict right now that my office is going to be flooded with calls from people who receive these tickets asking if there is anything to dispute the fine. A small portion of my practice is dedicated to criminal and traffic defense and I am certain I will receive calls from people asking if there is anything can be done to fight the ticket. The answer is no. These tickets are not traffic violations and they do not go on your driving ticket. These are more comparable to a parking ticket. The fines have to be paid (or risk having your drivers license suspended) but there is not effect on ones driving record or insurance.
Let’s hope we see the elimination of vehicle-pedestrian accidents outside of schools and parks in Chicago.
If you or someone you love has been involved in a Chicago vehicle-pedestrian accident or Chicago car accident, then car Chicago personal injury attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com. 

Are There More Fatal Car Accidents On Tax Day?

The middle of April is
stressful time of year for a lot of people (including for small business owners
like yours truly) because it is the time of year when taxes are due.
 Increased stress can lead to many unhealthy outcomes, and according to
some researchers, more car accidents.  I ran across and interesting
article in the Chicago Tribune, which stated that history shows
there is a higher number of deadly car accidents on tax day. According to  
 Dr. Donald Redelmeier,
a research and physician from the University of Toronto, 
 30 years of data and found 6,783
traffic-related deaths on Tax Day, or 226 per day compared 213 per day on one
day a week before the deadline day and another day a week after. 
 The researchers analyzed data from the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration
. The results appear
in Wednesday’s Journal of the
 American Medical Association

What has caused this
trend on tax day and is it an anomaly? Answers vary but the most researchers
concluded that there are more drivers on the road on tax day and that increased
stress in many of these drivers can increase the chances for car accident.

Typically I would say
that this is an anomaly but the research did cover a 30 year period and the
numbers are hard to ignore. I guess the lesson here (at least for my-self) is
to finish your taxes before April 15.

If you or someone you
know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident,
then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation
at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com. 

New Illinois Bill Would Outlaw Use Of Cell Phones In Vehicles

The Daily Eastern News reported recently that Illinois
Representative  John D’Amico, from
Chicago, introduced a new bill that would outlaw the use of cell phones while
driving. Robert Bates, the health studies department chair, teaches
several safety-related classes: Advanced Driving Maneuvers, Accident Prevention
in Schools and Industrial Safety.  Bates said
 texting while
driving overloads the physical and mental aspects of the body.  “The
driver must make thousands of decisions in a short period of time. Any errors
can result in harm to one’s self or others,” Bates said in an email. “Research
in driving simulators have indicated significant impairment when
 texting and
driving.”

It
should be pointed out that revisions to the bill would not pertain to people
using “hands-free or voice-activated mode” while driving, but recent research
conducted by the University of Utah questions whether even those options should
be permitted at all.  If the bill passes, Illinois would be the
 10th state in the country to implement such a ban.

There
have been discussions by the
 NHTSA and
others on the national level about a federal ban on cell phone use in vehicles. As I have stated before, I
believe the most effective way to deter this activity would be to stiffen
penalties of those caught texting
 and
driving. Specifically, increase the penalties on those who cause a car accident
or injuries by
 texting and driving.
An argument could be made these offences should be treated as a Class A
 misdemeanor with
the same level of penalties and fines when someone is convicted of drinking and
driving.

If you
or someone you love has been injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truckaccident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron
 Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the
firm website at www.blgchicago.com.