Construction zone speed limits and tollway radar towers

In Europe (particularly the UK), variable speed limits are fairly common. I think they would be useful in construction zones. Narrow lanes notwithstanding, conditions on roads may warrant speed limits faster than 45 at some times, and slower at other times. While variable speed limits require the installation of electronic signs, it could be an investment well worth it, as it might improve traffic flow.

I saw people going well past the 45 mph speed limit, when i got on the tollway at Gurnee.

I had to appear to pay a tollway ticket and people were being cited for speeding with their I-pass. They can calculate whether or not your arriving to early at the next toll. That is a fact I saw the people with the tickets in Downers Grove!

You could catch 500 speeders on any highway in the Chicagoland area in one single hour. As a new driver as well as a parent and the owner of a new car, I obey the speed limit. But trust me when I say I feel like the only person out there that does. They could do endless amounts with the income that could be generated if the police would make a real effort to enforce traffic laws.
As for the comment about the UK, that is a country which is funded by speeding tickets. There is a camera on every corner, and still people keep on speeding. But hey it means they don't have to put taxes up for the rest of us! People aren't about to stop speeding, why don't the rest of us benefit?

JOE wrote:

I had to appear to pay a tollway ticket and people were being cited for speeding with their I-pass. They can calculate whether or not your arriving to early at the next toll. That is a fact I saw the people with the tickets in Downers Grove!

The iPass cameras would be another great way to make money. I am always amazed that of all the places people will speed, it is when passing a camera that is reading your registration number for a state system that knows who you are and where you live!

Jennifer wrote:

...I feel like the only person out there that does.

No, Jennifer, you are not the only one who obeys the speed limits, especially in construction zones. But there are very few of us. Few drivers seem to consider the risk to construction workers, other drivers, and themselves.

Although many consider speed limits to be only a funding device for police, they are the best method of getting traffic to flow at a consistent--and therefore safer--rate.

Let's see.

Thanks to IDOT, " ... lanes have been temporarily narrowed, traffic configurations change and construction equipment is working or parked nearby ... "

So IDOT creates unsafe conditions, then puts the burden for the unsafe conditions on the motorists - none of whom have any control over how the roadway is reconfigured.

IDOT admits it has created a hazardous situation for construction workers working on state highway projects. But unlike other employers, it shifts the burden of paying for the workers' safety to the motorists - none of whom have any control whatsoever over the workers.

Also, the very idea that some workers' lives are somehow more valuable, more worthy of protection, than others flies in the face of our nation's belief that 'all men are created equal.'

There's an extra heavy fine for the motorist who injures a highway construction worker, but not for that same motorist if he injures a school crossing guard or a mail carrier.

When there's nothing left of our Constitution and the rights we derive from it, let's remember where the erosion started.

Jennifer wrote:

You could catch 500 speeders on any highway in the Chicagoland area in one single hour. As a new driver as well as a parent and the owner of a new car, I obey the speed limit. But trust me when I say I feel like the only person out there that does. They could do endless amounts with the income that could be generated if the police would make a real effort to enforce traffic laws.
As for the comment about the UK, that is a country which is funded by speeding tickets. There is a camera on every corner, and still people keep on speeding. But hey it means they don't have to put taxes up for the rest of us! People aren't about to stop speeding, why don't the rest of us benefit?

No, Jennifer, I observe the speed limits too, even in construction zones. Like you, I've always got someone hugging my rear bumper, then shooting out to pass me with the other traffic.

Which brings up an interesting point about traffic and traffic accidents. While excessive speed can cause accidents, even more accidents are caused when cars travel at very different speeds in the same area. I know it's no defense to a speeding ticket, but there is a safety basis for 'keeping up with the flow' of traffic on the highway.

But most of our politically-appointed judges would never be able to grasp the concept, so don't waste your time trying that excuse if you get a ticket.

US-41 and the 294 toll way has been under construction for sooooo long. Everyones patience is running thin. I never see a worker out there. Maybe Illinois is keeping the tollways indefinetly under construction to make more money by giving out $375 speeding tickets???? Nothing in this state surprises me anymore!!!

JOE wrote:

I had to appear to pay a tollway ticket and people were being cited for speeding with their I-pass. They can calculate whether or not your arriving to early at the next toll. That is a fact I saw the people with the tickets in Downers Grove!

Bull. If this were true you would still be waiting in line just to check in at Downers Grove. Liar.

The speed limit on all Illinois expressways is : How fast will your car go ? I recently observed 3 ISP cruisers parked at a restaurant on Ogden ave. in Downers Grove. Granted, you have to eat but 3 at a time ? Your toll $$$ at work.

JOE wrote:

I had to appear to pay a tollway ticket and people were being cited for speeding with their I-pass. They can calculate whether or not your arriving to early at the next toll. That is a fact I saw the people with the tickets in Downers Grove!

Wrong, Joe. You have no credibility.

it seems to me that the majority of drivers are "speeding" through construction zones. it also seems that the vast majority are not involved in accidents or killing the construction workers. could it possibly be the 45 mph limit is nothing but an arbitrary, unscientific number that was picked to slow down the drivers and drive up revenue? in michigan, most of the zones were 60 and there were the usual concrete barriers separating the cars from the work.

RegularGuy wrote:

Let's see.
Thanks to IDOT, " ... lanes have been temporarily narrowed, traffic configurations change and construction equipment is working or parked nearby ... "
So IDOT creates unsafe conditions, then puts the burden for the unsafe conditions on the motorists - none of whom have any control over how the roadway is reconfigured.
IDOT admits it has created a hazardous situation for construction workers working on state highway projects. But unlike other employers, it shifts the burden of paying for the workers' safety to the motorists - none of whom have any control whatsoever over the workers.
Also, the very idea that some workers' lives are somehow more valuable, more worthy of protection, than others flies in the face of our nation's belief that 'all men are created equal.'
There's an extra heavy fine for the motorist who injures a highway construction worker, but not for that same motorist if he injures a school crossing guard or a mail carrier.
When there's nothing left of our Constitution and the rights we derive from it, let's remember where the erosion started.

...and I'll bet you're one of those people who think black helicopters are following you and that federal agents are rummaging through your trash.

Fack=it! I stop paying the tickets. Last time I had checked 6-8 mo. ago, was something like 6500. I don't care about paying Da Mayor seems to want everyone to be on the bus. City stickers, I could never see the point. What just to say that you live in the over taxed city of Chicago.

Fack=it! I stop paying the tickets. Last time I had checked 6-8 mo. ago, was something like 6500. I don't care about paying Da Mayor seems to want everyone to be on the bus. City stickers, I could never see the point. What just to say that you live in the over taxed city of Chicago.

Hard to believe that, yes, its the drivers responsibility to maintain a safe speed and pay attention to conditions around.

I'll drive 45mph when I feel that it is safe to do so. For now I will keep pace with other traffic in the right lane unless there are workers present - in that case I slow down. Right now on 294 in the southern construction zone going 45mph would be like painting a target on your car's back end. Is it possible to plead self-defense?

Stephen St Jack wrote:

Hard to believe that, yes, its the drivers responsibility to maintain a safe speed and pay attention to conditions around.

In many cases, such as the person quoted in the article, driving a "safe" speed may very well mean exceeding the speed limit. So when a person is put in a position where they must choose between breaking the law and picking a safe speed, what is the driver to do? When a law designed to enhance safety in some cases ends up caring nothing about safety, it's time to consider other options.

JOE wrote:

I had to appear to pay a tollway ticket and people were being cited for speeding with their I-pass. They can calculate whether or not your arriving to early at the next toll. That is a fact I saw the people with the tickets in Downers Grove!

Don't believe you. Not saying it might not be technically possible, but it is not being done.