Illinois Governor Quinn Signs Bill Allowing Undocumented Immigrants To Legally Drive

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I wrote here and here
the past few weeks about new legislation in Illinois that would allow
undocumented immigrants to apply for a valid driver’s license. The Chicago
Tribune reported earlier this week that Governor Quinn signed the bill
into law over the weekend.  

Supporters
say the measure will make Illinois roads safer because it will provide a way
for immigrant drivers to get licenses, making it easier to obtain insurance and pass driving tests. The cards will look
different from traditional licenses and cannot be used as a form of
identification. Critics fear fraud and abuse, with some lawmakers saying they
wanted illegal immigrants to be fingerprinted to qualify. Immigrant rights
organizations said that would deter participation.

I have been a huge
proponent of this law from the day I heard that it was a possibility that the
legislature was going to move forward with this. It is now the law in Illinois
and I believe that there will be fewer car accidents, safer roads and the traffic
courts will be less congested. 

If you or someone you
love has been injured in a Chicago car crash 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.

Chicago Has Highest Level Of Fatal Pedestrian Accidents In Four Years

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I have written on this blog multiple
times that Chicago has taken significant steps to make streets safer for
pedestrian walkers. The city has installed speeder cameras near schools and
parks. The punishment for vehicles disobeying cross-walks has stiffened. Stop
signs for pedestrian cross walks haven been installed on busy roads such as
LaSalle, Clark and Division etc… All of these steps among others have been
implemented by Mayor Emanuel since he has taken over, yet, the Chicago Sun
Times reported last week that 48 pedestrians were killed in vehicle accidents in 2012. This was a sharp uptick from the previous two years and the
highest in four years.

The city needs to be asking itself
why there has been a sudden increase despite the measures taken to protect
pedestrians. “The weather was better. It was relatively mild, especially
in the winter,” Active Transportation Alliance Director Ron Burke said. “And
driving went back up for the first time in a while. … It looks like probably
more people were out walking because of the mild weather. That alone creates
potentially, unfortunately, some additional crashes.”  Others say
distracted driving is also a key factor: “People are more distracted. All you
need to do is look around and see everyone on a cell phone, texting or
listening to music and not paying attention to the road,” said Jose Ucles,
spokesman at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Chicago’s numbers
follow a national trend that shows an increase of traffic fatalities of all
types. In data from January through September — the latest available — the
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said traffic fatalities
increased by 7.1 percent over the same nine months in 2011. That represents the
largest such increase since 1975 — the first year when NHTSA started collecting
data on traffic fatalities, the study found.

As I have stated
before, there needs to be tougher penalties against those cause auto accidents while
texting and driving and especially if there are personal injuries. Without
tougher penalties, I believe that pedestrian accidents will increase or at the
very least stay at the same level.

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 legal
consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at
www.blgchicago.com.  style=”font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"”>

NTSB Recommends Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device For All Those Convicted For DUI

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The Los Angeles
Times recently reported about a federal program recommended by the
National Transportation Safety Board (“NTSB”), which would require
all drivers convicted of drunken driving to install an ignition interlocking
device before starting their car. An
alcohol-ignition interlock is a device that prevents the engine from starting
until the driver breathes into a device that measures alcohol content to see if
it is lower than prescribed limits. Currently, 17 states require interlocks for
first-time offenders. If you unfortunately drive while under the influence and get charged, then act fast to get help from a criminal record expungement firm or at least contact professional assistance so you can apply for bail bonds.

The NTSB ultimately believes this measure will help prevent traffic collisions and traffic fatalities. “The first step to address the number one killer on
our roadways is to do what is proven to be effective — use interlocks for all
DWI offenders,” said NTSB Chairman Deborah Hersman.

According to a criminal law attorney currently in Illinois, the interlocking device is available to those charged with their
first DUI and their license has been suspended. The secretary of state allows
drivers to install the device in their vehicle, which allows the charged
offender to legally drive during their suspension. Check out a Related Site for extra information.

The
question is whether requiring these devices is overly invasive and costly for
all those who have been convicted of a DUI. The alcoholic beverage
industry opposes a blanket requirement for first-time offenders, but it supports
restrictions for people who have registered exceptionally high blood-alcohol
levels.

Both the Distilled Spirits Council and the American Beverage
Institute, which represents restaurant chains, support ignition interlocks for
first-time convictions of people who posted a blood-alcohol content of .15 or
higher.

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

Four New Illinois Traffic Laws Take Effect In 2013

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Illinois drivers beware. There are
four new traffic laws that take effect in 2013. Three of the four involve cell
phone use and the fourth is Julie’s law which I wrote about a few months back.
Below is an outline of each of the laws:

1. A new law makes it illegal for
drivers to use cell phones in all roadwork zones. Previously the law only
applied to work zones with speed limit reductions.

2. It will also be illegal to use a
mobile phone while driving within 500 feet of an emergency scene.

3. Another law bars commercial
drivers from any hand-held cell phone use.

4. Governor Quinn also signed a bill
known as Julie’s Law, which increases penalties for serious speed-limit violations.
This new law prohibits judges from granting court supervision to anyone
charged with going 30 mph or more over the speed limit on highways and 25 mph
over or more in urban areas. So, if you are found guilty of driver 30 mph over
the speed limit, this will be considered a conviction on your driving record
and can also affect your insurance rates.

Remember to keep these new laws in
mind before you pick up your cell phone while in the car or if you feel the
need to speed down a highway.

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

Illinois House Passes Drivers License Bill For Undocumented Immigrants

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Illinois is the
governor’s signature away from new legislation that will allow undocumented
immigrants to obtain a temporary driver’s license. NBC Chicago reported
on Tuesday that the bill passed 65-46. Immigrant Drivers would get three-year
licenses, called Temporary Visitor Driver’s Licenses, and would be required to
take a driver’s education class and carry car insurance. Lawmakers believe
there are as many as 250,000 undocumented immigrants on Illinois roads and that
more than 40 percent of deadly Illinois crashes involve drivers who don’t have
a license.

Governor Quinn applauded
the House’s action, saying the bill will save lives as well as “help ensure
every Illinois motorist is properly licensed and empower more immigrants to
become stronger contributors to our economy. 
Illinois roads will be safer if we ensure every driver learns the rules
of the road and is trained to drive safely,” Quinn said.


I wrote about this story a few weeks back when the bill was being discussed in
committee, which you can read here.  This bill is a win win for everyone.
First, it is undisputed that there are thousands of undocumented immigrants in
Illinois that are law abiding and are working hard for their families. They
have been left hamstrung by police and in courts because they have not been
allowed to apply for a driver’s license without a social security number. These
are pointless and expensive tickets that clog up the traffic and criminal
courts. I know this first hand because I have represented dozens of these
immigrants and most of the time they are merely trying to drive to and from
work or pick up their kids from school. Second, this measure will protect Illinois
drivers and make the roads safer. Immigrants will now be able to purchase auto
insurance, and in case there is an auto accident, there will be protection for the
injured. Third, the undocumented drivers will still have to take and pass the
written and driving test, which will hopefully mean that there will be
thousands of more skilled drivers that will know the rules of the road.

Should you or someone you love
become injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call
Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron J. Bryant for a free consultation at
312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com. style=”font-size: 12pt; font-family: ‘Times New Roman’, serif;”>

Chicago Completes Speed Camera Test Period At Chicago Schools And Parks

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The Chicago Sun
Times reported last week that speeder cameras located near Chicago
schools and parks went through a month long test period. The city placed
cameras on the North Side near
Warren Park in the 6500 block of North Western and around Near North Montessori
School in the 1400 block of West Division. South Side cameras were
installed in the 2200 block of West Pershing near McKinley Park and in the 6300
block of South King Drive near Dulles Elementary School. No tickets were
issued and the city won’t say how many speeders were observed or how fast they
were going. 

The city used two (2)
competing camera companies during this testing period (Xerox State & Local Solutions and American Traffic Solutions), and
now the city will determine which contractor they will use going forward. 

Though
this project will bring in new revenues for the city, Chicago mayor Emanuel
insists that these cameras are being installed solely for children’s safety.
“I’m keeping my word. I said we were gonna invest in kids and their
safety…We’re gonna expand by 30 percent our after-school programs, double the
size of our summer jobs and add 5,000 kids to our pre-K, wrap-around, full-day
services,” the mayor said. It wasn’t a money-maker in the sense that you
were leaving the impression, which is that it was gonna be just some sloshing
around inside the budget. It’s going right back into what I said it was. And
there’s no better child safety program than after-school programs…when
two-thirds to three quarters of all children become a victim of crime.”

This speeder camera
program has gone under some scrutiny since it was announced last year. I think
it is too early to decide whether this is a good idea. If Mayor Emanuel is
being forthright about the safety considerations and the number of caraccidents and pedestrian accidents decrease in school and park areas, then it
will be deemed a success. Time will tell.

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 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.  style=”font-size: 12pt; font-family: ‘Times New Roman’, serif;”>

Naperville Police Crack Down On Cell Phone Use In School Zones

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The Chicago
Tribune reported this Fall that the Naperville police are targeting
drivers using their cell phones in school zones. The program is based on the
enforcement of an Illinois statute that went into effect back in 2010 which prohibits any driver,
regardless of age, from using a wireless telephone on a roadway in a school
speed zone or in a construction or maintenance speed zone. Exceptions are made
for “hands free” or Bluetooth phones.

The
program initiated by Naperville police titled “cell phones in school
zones,” has elicited the help from volunteers to help spread the
word. Naperville authorities say the new initiative is aimed at reducing
the frequency and severity of traffic collisions, and to gain compliance of all
traffic laws including those directly impacting the safety of children in
school zones.

“We like voluntary compliance, and we’d prefer to cite no
one,” said Sgt. Lee Martin of the Naperville Police Department’s traffic
unit. “We hope everyone receives the message through the educational
campaign, to be aware of their surroundings and what they’re doing.”
 The city also will place message boards on roadway easements near Scott
Elementary reminding drivers not to use hand-held phones in school
zones. Martin said another school will be targeted next spring and the
program will then continue “as long as we keep getting positive
results.”

Remember that texting and driving is never safe, but also
remember that if you use your phone at all (including phone calls) in a school zone, you can be
ticketed by police.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a Chicago caraccident 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.  

IL Takes Step Closer To Issuing Drivers Licences To Illegal Immigrants: Why I Support This Measure

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The Chicago
Tribune report yesterday that a new measure that would allow up to
250,000 illegal immigrants to receive a drivers license passed through the Senate
Executive Committee and the entire Senate could vote on the new law by next
week. Under
the program, undocumented immigrants would be eligible for the special,
three-year licenses to drive a vehicle. It would be a different in color from a
regular driving license. It also cannot be used for identification purposes,
such as for boarding a plane, buying a gun or voting.

Senate
President John Cullerton supported the bill stating that the law would make
Illinois roads safer. Lake County Sheriff Mark Curran testified in favor
of the bill, saying immigrants are driving to schools, stores and church even
when they are undocumented and don’t have
licenses. “Ultimately,” Curran said, “law enforcement would
much rather go after the bad guys and not just people that are trying to get to
work and school.”

 “At
a time of diminishing police forces, I believe that it’s imperative that we use
our resources wisely,” Curran said. “Licensing and insuring all
immigrant drivers will ease the burden on jails and courts, which are currently
drained by holding people solely for driving without a license or
insurance.”

This
new bill could receive some criticism from Illinois residents and nationally. I
think these critics are wrong. There are two major reasons I support this
legislation. First, it will make the roads safer for everyone.  Allowing
illegal immigrants to obtain a license will force them to learn the Illinois
rules of the road. They must pass the written exam just like everyone else.
Although I have not read the proposed bill, there is a chance that they will have to take a driver’s test as well to prove they are capable of driving
on the road. Further, without a valid license, drivers cannot obtain car
insurance. More insured drivers will protect injury victims who may be involved
in car accidents with immigrant drivers. What if one of your family members is involved
in a car crash with an illegal immigrant? Who is going to pay for their medical
bills, pain and suffering and lost wages? More insured drivers protects
everyone. 

Second, I have
represented dozens of illegal immigrants in traffic and criminal court for
driving without a license. These are hard working men and women trying their
best to support their families. These are not bad people or criminals and
needlessly punishing them only makes their effort to support their families
that much more difficult. These immigrants are also driving their kids to
school. Why should they have to drive in fear every time they try to drop their
children off? As was mentioned above, police officers and state troopers would much
rather focus their attention on violent and dangerous criminals.

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 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com. style=”font-size: 12pt; font-family: ‘Times New Roman’, serif;”>

IDOT Provides Safety Tips To Drivers During Hunting Season

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Deer season is upon us in Illinois and those who live and drive in rural areas (and even in the suburbs) know that the roads can become dangerous if you are not paying attention. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) issued a press release last months outlining the dangers of dealing with deer in the road and also provides some safety tips. The full press release can be read here.

Below is a list precautions that IDOT provided regarding driving during deer season:

·         –Be particularly cautious at dusk and dawn, when deer are most active.

·         –Keep track of locations where deer have been spotted in the past to avoid being surprised. 
 

·         –Reduce speed and be prepared to stop, especially near water, farm fields and wooded areas.
 

·         –Deer will cross the road and double back. Make sure deer have moved away before proceeding. 
 

·         –Be mindful that deer will follow each other. One deer can mean others are nearby or close behind. 
 

·         –Avoid swerving into traffic or off the road if deer are on the roadway. Instead, slow to a stop and wait for the deer to move along. 
 

·         –Flashing the headlights and honking the car horn will encourage deer to move off the road. 
 

·         –Alert other motorists to the presence of deer by tapping the brakes.

If you happen to be involved in an accident with a deer (through no fault of your own), there are certain avenues to be reimbursed for your injuries. The best way to protect you and your family if you are injured in an accident with a deer is to make sure you have uninsured motorist coverage. Typically, this type of coverage is used when a driver is involved in an accident with another driver who does not have insurance. This type of coverage helps pay for your car damage, medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering from injuries when the other driver does not have insurance. The same type of coverage may apply if there is a car accident with a deer. It must be pointed out that for the coverage to apply, it must be shown that you (the driver) were not negligent or the cause of the accident.

Should you or someone you love become injured in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident, then call Chicago personal injury attorney for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com. 

Toyota To Recall 2.8 Million Prius And Corollas

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It was just two years
ago that Toyota underwent a major recall of its’ vehicles for apparent issues
with accelerators and brake systems. At the time there reports of multiple caraccidents causing injuries (and at least one fatal accident) that were an alleged
result of sudden acceleration in Toyota vehicles. This week Reuters reported
that there would be closed to 2.8 million Prius and Corolla vehicles
recalled. 

Toyota will recall
around 2.77 million vehicles worldwide, including certain models of the Prius,
due to problems with the steering mechanism and the hybrid system water pump,
its second multi-million car recall in two months.

Toyota is recalling 1.5 million vehicles in
Japan, 670,000 vehicles in the United States and 496,000 vehicles in Europe
over a problem in the steering intermediate extension shafts, which could be
damaged at slow speed, spokesman Joichi Tachikawa said on Wednesday.

I have yet to see any reports of any autoaccidents that were a result of this steering mechanism issue. Hopefully Toyota
has caught this problem before any car crashes can take place.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a
Chicago car accident or from a Chicago auto defect case, please call Chicago personal injury attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website
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