Illinois State Police To Enforce Operation Kyle In Honor Of Fallen Trooper

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The life and work of a state trooper
is a tough job. Every time a trooper stops a driver for a traffic violation or
investigates an auto accident scene, they are confronted with the dangers of
other drivers and of course confronting the unknown when approaching a car
window. The Illinois State Police lost one if its own on November 26, 2012 when
trooper Kyle Deatherage was struck by a passing truck during a routine traffic
stop. The Belleville News Democrat reported last month that in
honor of Trooper Deatherage’s death, the State Police would launch operation
Kyle during a 24 hour period throughout the state. 

 “Starting at
midnight the morning of (November) 26, for 24-hours straight, we’re going to
have troopers from all throughout the state enforcing traffic laws, looking for
impaired drivers,” said Illinois State Police Trooper Calvin Dye, Jr. “It’s
dedicated to Trooper Deatherage and his family.”  Troopers hope the
enforcement will serve as a reminder to motorists to slow down and pull over if
they see an emergency vehicle.

“There is no greater tribute than the commitment of all
sworn officers showing their respect, dedication and commitment to Kyle and the
safety of every driver and passenger during this 24-hour period,” said
Illinois State Police Director Hiram Grau. “His life was tragically taken
from his family and police family two days before Thanksgiving and Operation
Kyle will be a strong reminder to the motoring public that safe driving saves
lives.”

“Our number one goal during this 24-hour enforcement
period and through the holiday season is to raise awareness and reduce the
number of fatalities on Illinois roads and highways,” said Illinois State
Police Division of Operations Col. Michael Zerbonia. “Sobriety checkpoints
will also be enforced and DUI violators risk arrest and severe penalties.”

Remember to drive safely throughout the holidays and be wary
of troopers and other who have been pulled over. Traffic is heavy this time of
year and the roads can be slick. Everyone can do their part to try and avoid
car accidents while on the highway.

If you or someone you know has been injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney,
Aaron Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-588-3384.

Illinois Tollway Study Shows Majority Of Drivers Do Not Obey Speed Limits

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The Chicago Tribune reported this week that recent tollway studies in Illinois revealed that the majority of drivers do not drive within the marked speed limits on highways. Tollway engineers tracked speed limits for drivers along I-94 in Lake County and found that about 1 in 20 drivers obeyed the speed limit. 


The data, gathered in April, May and September, showed that, depending on which tollway stretch was tested, 91 to 98 percent of drivers exceeded the 55 mph speed limit. In those stretches, the average speed ranged from 66 to 70 mph.

The studies followed a 2012 National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report that showed that average highway speeds increased to almost 71 mph in 2009 from 65 mph two years earlier. At the same time, traffic accident fatalities — 33,561 last year — are dropping, except for a slight increase in 2012. The report concluded that the higher speeds might have been the product of less speed enforcement in 2009 and fewer cars on the road that year, leading to less congestion.

Illinois State Police spokeswoman Monique Bond said she was reluctant to draw conclusions from the Tollway data. Vehicles would have been more likely to slow down if their drivers had seen a state police squad car than engineers atop overpasses, she said.

This is an alarming trend and will need to be tracked closely as the speed limit on many Illinois highways will increase to 70 mph on January 1, 2014. Will drivers now feel more confident to drive even faster while on the highway? Will this lead to more car accidents and traffic fatalities? This is a concern that the Illinois Department of Transportation should follow closely along with Illinois lawmakers.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a Chicago traffic accident or a Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free legal consultation at 312-588-3384. 

Undocumented Illinois Immigrants Can Apply For Driver’s License On November 12

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I wrote earlier this year that
Illinois Governor Quinn signed a new law that would allow undocumented
immigrants to apply for a temporary driver’s license that would allow them to
drive legally in the United States. As the Chicago Sun-Times reported
earlier this month, on November 12, the day has finally come for these
immigrants to apply for the license through the secretary of state’s
office. 

At their appointments (with
the Secretary of State’s office), applicants must provide documents proving
their date of birth; their written signature; their Illinois address for at
least one year, and insurance coverage. Their photo will be taken and processed
through the state’s facial recognition database, and they will take a driver’s
road test, a written test on the Illinois rules of the road, and a vision
test. Written materials will be provided in four other languages, and
translators will be available at facilities, but applicants also are encouraged
to bring friends or relatives with them to act as interpreters, Secretary of
State officials said. Once documents are verified and insurance is proven,
applicants will receive a driver’s license in the mail.

Officials estimated the in-person appointment process should
take two hours per person. They expect to issue 100,000 licenses a year, at $30
each.

As I have written in the past, this is a win-win for
everyone in the state of Illinois. Regular working people, who pay taxes and
are otherwise law-abiding, will be allowed to drive legally. This, I believe,
will unclog the traffic court systems for unnecessary arrests and tickets
issued to undocumented immigrants. Also, I believe that the roads will be safer
as these drivers will have to learn the rules of the road and be required to
purchase auto insurance. Hopefully this will lead to fewer car accidents or at
the very least, protect motorists who are injured in traffic accidents with
more motorists who have insurance coverage.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Chicago car crash or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury lawyer Aaron
Bryant for a free legal consultation at 312-588-3384. 

Chicago Speeder Cameras Issue 2700 Tickets In First Month

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The Chicago Sun-Times reported
this week that 2700 tickets were issued by the new speeder cameras in their
first month of operation. The cameras are located in “safe zones”
throughout the city, specifically in front of schools and parks. Along with the
2700 tickets, there were an astounding 324,000 warning issued by the cameras.
The tickets issued have (or will) generated $245,160 in revenue for the
city. 

Motorists caught going 6 to 10
mph over the posted limit pay a $35 fine. Drivers caught going at least 11 mph
over the limit pay $100. In the first month of enforcement, 416 violations were
issued for those driving 6 to 10 mph over the speed limit; another 2,306 were
issued to those driving 11 mph or more over the speed limit, according to city
statistics.

“It is encouraging to see that automated speed enforcement
has already had a significant positive impact on drivers’ behavior…But, we
still have a chronic problem of excessive speed and we need to continue to
change the culture of speeding in Chicago,” departing Transportation
Commissioner Gabe Klein was quoted as saying in a press release.

Mayor Emanuel has emphasized from the beginning that these
cameras were installed for safety purposes – – and not as a revenue generator.
This is interesting as his office estimates that ticket fines could raise $70
million is 2014. I will following this closely to see if there is a decrease in
car accidents and pedestrian accidents in these locations. I would also be
interested in knowing whether these “safe zones” were areas where
there was a high level of traffic accidents.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago pedestrian accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-588-3384.  

Bicycle Lane Proposed For Portion Of Route 31 In Geneva, IL

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If a Geneva alderman has
his way, a portion of Route 31 in his town will be reconfigured within the next
few years and will include bicycle lanes in both directions. Route 31 in Geneva could be reduced from four
lanes to two, with bicycle lanes added to the sides, under a proposal that
aldermen recently voted to advance.

As the Chicago
Tribune reconfiguration of the road, if approved, would happen with
the next five years. Any costs associated with the reconfiguration would likely
come from the city.  The width of the road in question —
Route 31 from Fabyan Parkway to the Kane County Government Center — ranges
from 38 feet to 40 feet, officials said. The road diet would create two lanes
with bike lanes on each side, a middle turn lane, landscaped medians and a
pedestrian/bike trail crossing at a specific spot. Trying to cross from the
west side of the road to the east side on a bicycle or as a pedestrian is a
“risky venture” currently, said Phil Bus, Phil Bus, the former
development director for Kane County.

Though the terrain and
traffic levels are different, this is a similar approach taken in Chicago as
there have been multiple designated bicycle lanes created throughout the city
including Dearborn Street right through the heart of the downtown loop. The
main difference here is the roads did not have to be widened. Hopefully, if
approved, this will create a safer path for bicyclists and pedestrians in
Geneva.

If you or someone you
know has been injured in a Chicago bicycle accident or Chicago pedestrian accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free legal consultation at 312-588-3384. 



AAA Foundation For Traffic Safety Releases Troubling Report

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AAA’s Foundation for
Traffic Safety released the results of a four year study revealing that
Americans have become less concerned about the dangers of certain driving
tactics. This is troubling for several reasons. First, as I have written on
this blog multiple times, texting and emailing while driving has become an
epidemic in this country and is considered as dangerous as drinking and
driving. The same can be said about driving without enough sleep. Legislatures
(including Illinois) have stepped up to the plate and enacted laws banning
distracted driving and have increased penalties. Further, the major cell phone
companies have joined together with campaigns such as “It Can Wait,”
to try and curb texting and driving. This is what is so troubling: why – –
despite new laws and publicity – – are drivers in this country becoming less
concerned about these issues?

Survey
results during the previous four years show decreasing concern for dangerous
driving behaviors:

-The
number of people who believe drinking and driving is a serious threat declined
from a near universal 90 percent in 2009 to 69 percent in 2012.

-The
number of people who consider drowsy driving a very serious threat declined
from 71 percent in 2009 to 46 percent in 2012.

-The
number of people who believe that texting or emailing while driving is a very
serious threat declined from 87 percent in 2009 to 81 percent in 2012. The
number of people who admit to texting while driving increased from  21 percent to 26 percent during the same
period.

-The
number of people who consider red-light running to be completely unacceptable
declined from 77 percent in 2009 to 70 percent in 20012.

“We have
made great strides in recent years to reduce road deaths, but there are still
too many needless fatalities caused by dangerous driving,” said Jake Nelson,
AAA director of traffic safety advocacy and research. “It is clear that more
must be done to address the dangers of drunk, aggressive and drowsy driving to
stem this concerning trend.”

What
are we to make of this study? How much more can legislatures do to prevent this
type of behavior? Suspend licenses? That may seem a little drastic but what if
the number of distracted traffic accidents do not decrease after the new laws
go into effect after January 1. These are issues both the Illinois legislature
and cell phone companies will have to look at.

If
you or someone you love has been injured 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. 

NHTSA Announces “5 To Drive” To Promote Safety For Teen Drivers

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The National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration announced a new campaign last week, “5 to Drive,” to
reduce the high rate of teen driver deaths. The campaign challenges parents to
discuss driver safety with their children. The announcement coincided with
National Teen Driver Safety Week, which took place October 20-26. 

“Safety is our
highest priority, especially when it comes to teens, who are often our least
experienced drivers,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.
“The ‘5 to Drive’ campaign gives parents and teens a simple,
straightforward checklist that can help them talk about good driving skills and
most importantly, prevent a tragedy before it happens.”

 The
“5 to Drive” campaign encourages parents to visit www.safercar.gov/parents/teendriving and
discuss with their teens one safety topic each day during national teen driver
safety week. The “5 to Drive” campaign topics are:

 

1.     
No cell phone use or texting while
driving,

2.     
No extra passengers,

3.     
No speeding,

4.     
No alcohol, and

5.     
No driving or riding without a seat
belt.

These probably appear to be fairly
obvious safety considerations for all drivers, but teens can be forgetful and
cavalier when they begin driving and it is important to continue to remind them
of these very easy things to do before getting behind the wheel.

If you or someone you love has been
injured in a Chicago car crash or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago car accident attorney, Aaron Bryant, for a free consultation at 312-588-3384. 

IL Governor Quinn Signs A Statewide Ban On Hand Held Cell Phone Use While Driving

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I mentioned this in a
recent blog post and The Chicago Tribune, reported the same back in
August that Illinois Governor Quinn has signed a bill banning a hand held cell
phone use for drivers. This new law will take effect on January 1, 2014. Fines
for driving and using a cell phone (talking, texting, emailing, using the
internet) will start at $75. The only cell phone use allowed for drivers is
hands-free technology such as blue tooth devices. The only other exception for cell
phone use will be in the case of an emergency.

“Too
many Illinois families have suffered because of accidents that could have been
prevented,” Quinn said in a statement. “Anyone driving a car should be careful,
responsive and alert behind the wheel.”

Quinn also signed a
measure into law that would increase penalties for drivers who injure or kills
others in crashes caused by the use of a cell phone or other electronic device.

Distracted motorists who
harm other drivers would face a Class A misdemeanor, which could result in
fines up to $2,500 and less than a year of jail time. Drivers involved in fatal car accidents could be charged with a Class 4 felony, which carries fines up to
$25,000 and up to three years of jail time.  That measure also goes into
effect January 1, 2014.

I think we have to take our hats off to the Illinois legislature and Governor Quinn for stepping up to the plate and finally enacting stiffer penalties for those who injure or kill others while texting and driving. I have been calling for this for years and it is good to see that state of Illinois finally take action. 

If you or someone you
know has been injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then
call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free legal consultation at 312-588-3384.

Illinois State Police Cracking Down On Distracted Driving

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The
Chicago Sun-Times reported
recently on the efforts of the Illinois State Police to crack down on
distracted driving, including a warning issued to a man who was shaving while
driving down the Kennedy Expressway. Yes, just like texting, shaving while
driving is distracting and can cause auto accidents. Spotters were looking down
on the southbound lanes of the Kennedy at both Montrose and Addison, alerting
other troopers which cars to stop. One trooper also was shooting video of
distracted drivers, said Illinois State Police Lt. David Byrd.  135 motorists were ticketed for distracted driving
between 7 a.m. and 9:30 a.m. in one morning last month, said Monique Bond, a
spokeswoman for the Illinois State Police. The tickets carry a $120 fine.

Electronic
signs on the Kennedy warn drivers of the anti-texting operation. A Chicago
ordinance bans drivers from talking on their phones, but state police don’t
enforce it, Byrd said. State troopers will enforce a statewide ban when it
takes effect Jan. 1, he said.

That’s right. Starting
January 1, 2014, a state-wide ban of hand held devices while driving goes into
effect. This will require any driver to use a blue to tooth or hands free phone
device when driving.

If you or someone you love
has been injured in a Chicago car crash or Chicago traffic accident, then call
Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free legal consultation at
312-588-3384. 

Chicago Officials Announce Reduction In Red Light Cameras

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There has been quite a bit news
lately about the installation of speeder cameras being installed outside school
zones and parks throughout Chicago. These cameras, which I have written about
multiple times the last few months, began issuing tickets last week. Not
forgotten among all this recent press are the much criticized red light
cameras. As reported by The Chicago Sun-Times, the city
announced earlier this month that they are removing cameras from 18
intersections. Mayor Emanuel announced through a press release that these
intersections are no longer a threat for car accidents and that there is no
longer a need for the cameras at these intersections. “Automated traffic
enforcement, whether through red-light or speed cameras, is about changing
drivers’ behavior. Cameras at these intersections are now showing a low
level of (car) crashes and dangerous angle crashes, which means an enhanced
level of safety.”

The red light cameras have created a
lot of revenue for the city, but many have argued that they are unnecessary and
that they do not make intersections any safer. Earlier this year,
Inspector General Joe Ferguson concluded there was no evidence to substantiate
the city’s claim that red-light cameras have either reduced accidents or are
installed at the most dangerous intersections. But Ferguson said the Chicago
Department of Transportation (“CDOT”) was unable to produce evidence
that accident data was used in the selection of red-light camera locations or
that CDOT continually evaluates accident data to relocate cameras to the
most-dangerous spots.

Whether red light cameras make our
intersections safer is up for debate. I know there have been studies done in
other cities such as Kansas City, where it was concluded that the cameras
actually make intersections more dangerous. I’m not sure if this is true, but I
would like to see some sort of comprehensive study on all of the red light
camera intersections to determine whether these cameras actually prevent car
accidents and pedestrian accidents.

If you or someone you love has been
seriously injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then
call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free legal
consultation at 312-588-3384.