Lake County Launches Holiday Driving Safety Program

The holiday season is upon us and there are records numbers of people on the roads in the Chicagoland area. People are driving to visit family, go on vacation or just attending holiday parties. It’s important to take precautions before hitting the road this year. According to Patch.com, the Lake County Illinois Sheriff’s office and the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) are launching a holiday safety traffic initiative called  “Drive Sober or Get Pulled Over” and “Drive High, Get a DUI.” The program runs from December 17 through January 2.

The Lake County Sheriff’s office is urging all drivers to plan ahead and do the following before getting behind the wheel:

  • Plan ahead — Designate a sober driver, use public transportation, or arrange for a ride-sharing service.
  • Report dangers — If you spot an impaired driver, pull over safely and dial 911.
  • Buckle up — It’s your best defense against impaired drivers.

There will be extra police enforcement on the roads looking for excessive speeders, drunk and distracted drivers. The funding for the program comes from the President Biden’s bipartisan infrastructure bill through the National Highway Traffic Administration and the funds are administered by IDOT.

If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a Chicago car crash or Chicago truck accident, then please call the Chicago accident lawyers at the Bryant Law Group for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076 or you can go directly to the firm’s website at www.blgchicago.com.

IDOT Announces Delay In Kennedy Express Lane Opening

I wrote earlier this fall that the Illinois Department of Transportation (“IDOT”) was expected to complete the construction on the I-90/94 (“Kennedy”) express lane construction by the “late fall.” Unfortunately they did not meet their own deadline as they announced this week that the express lanes would not open back up until mid-January 2025.

IDOT blames the delay on “software issues.” In their press release they stated, “Due to the complexity of the overall Reversible Lane Access Control system, additional time is needed to ensure the safety components are fully integrated and their functions operating seamlessly.”

This means continued gridlock on the Kennedy, especially from O’Hare airport down to the loop. The entire Kennedy construction project is $150 million project is expected to be completed next year. Phase 3 of the project includes construction on the outbound lanes.

Although discouraging that the express lane project was delayed, I think this is the safest and most prudent way for IDOT to proceed. It could be incredibly dangerous if there are any glitches with the entrance and exits of the express lanes. Let’s hope they actually meet this deadline.

If you or a loved one have been seriously injured in a Chicago traffic accident or Chicago truck accident, then call the Chicago accident lawyers at the Bryant Law Group, LLC., for a free legal consultation at 312-614-1076 or click here to go to the firm’s website at www.blgchicago.com.