Road Construction Season Is in Full Swing: Do Not Jeopardize Your Driving Record

 Posted on June 29, 2023 in Traffic violations

Schools have let out for the summer and families are hitting the road on vacation. Do not be surprised if you encounter traffic congestion. This is also the time of year when road crews take advantage of daylight savings time to perform construction work and maintenance. Without a doubt, you may feel frustrated and want to bypass the traffic. More than 6,700 motor vehicle accidents occur in Illinois construction zones every year leading to more than 1,600 injuries, in many cases, speed is to blame. Keep in mind that speeding in a construction zone could lead to much more than a construction zone ticket.

Monitoring Road Work Ahead

An interactive map is currently available to residents so they stay updated on county-wide construction projects including highway resurfacing, intersection improvements, and bridge replacement. Drivers are urged to avoid construction zones when possible to minimize congestion. If you absolutely have to drive on these roads, you should follow the signs for construction zone speed limits and partial lane closures to keep you and construction workers safe.

Limit Speed and Move Over

Photo speed enforcement may be in effect only when workers are present in a construction zone during the day or night. Construction workers, however, do not have to be present at the time a speeding ticket is issued in a work zone. It goes without saying that the lower speed limits in a construction zone should be adhered to.

Another thing to remember is that Scott’s Law or the “Move over Law,” requires a driver to slow down and change lanes for emergency and construction vehicles. Drivers who do not exercise care around emergency vehicles when their emergency lights or hazards are on can be prosecuted. If you violated Scott’s law you could end up having to pay up to $10,000 and have your driver’s license suspended for up to two years. Penalties vary depending on whether or not the property is damaged or if someone is injured or killed.

Jeopardizing Your Driving Record

A reckless decision behind the wheel could lead to a license suspension. In addition to that, points will also be added to your driving record, causing your insurance rates to increase. At first, you may think that the easiest thing to do is to pay the speeding ticket but this traffic violation can quickly lead to many more legal consequences.

The minimum fines for speeding in a construction zone are $250 for first-time offenders and $750 for second-time offenders. If it is your second construction zone speeding ticket you stand to lose your driver’s license for three months. Here are other legal consequences to consider if you get the itch to drive above the posted speed limit:

Traveling 26mph but less than 35mph is a Class B misdemeanor, leading up to six months in jail and a $1,500 fine

Traveling 35mph or more is a Class A misdemeanor leading up to one year in jail and a $2,500 fine

Contact an Aurora, IL Construction Zone Ticket Lawyer

At The Law Office of Brian J. Mirandola we will work to protect your driving record and driver’s license. If you have been slapped with a construction zone violation contact an experienced Kane County construction zone ticket attorney who will examine your case and explain the next steps to follow. Call 847-488-0889 for a free consultation.

Sources:

https://www2.illinois.gov/IISNews/24757-%E2%80%9CWork_Zones_Are_a_Sign_to_Slow_Down%E2%80%9D_.pdf
 
https://www.willcountyillinois.com/News/will-county-launches-interactive-map-for-monitoring-2023-road-construction
 
https://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K11-605.1.htm
 
https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=2619&ChapterID=49