Governor Pat Quinn signed a new bill this month that will allow the city of Chicago to install high speed cameras to monitor drivers and prevent pedestrian accidents in Illinois, according to the Associated Press. The bill will allow Chicago to use automatic speed enforcement cameras to monitor driver speeds around schools and parks in the city, and motorists in violation of the speed limits may receive tickets up to $100. Beginning in July, the speed cameras can operate on school days from 6 a.m. to 8:30 p.m. from Monday through Thursday, and from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Fridays. In addition, the cameras can operate near parks from an hour before to an hour after closing. IL motorists who are driving over the speed limit by six to 10 mph may receive a $50 fine, and a $100 fine may be issued for 11 mph and over.
The Governor says the goal of the high speed cameras is to improve safety for children and prevent dangerous child injury accidents. According to district officials, an estimated one-third of the 405,000 students who are enrolled in Chicago area public schools walk, prompting the Chicago Mayor to also say the new cameras will “ensure the safety of our kids” and that drivers simply need to adhere to the posted speed limit. Critics of the bill, however, feel these cameras will not increase safety but merely generate large revenues for the state government. City officials report that the red-light cameras already in use at various Chicago intersections generated $66 million in revenue in 2010.
Though the use of new speed cameras is controversial, pedestrian safety, especially for children, is extremely important and all Illinois drivers should be extra cautious in areas where children are known to be, such as school zones. Safety measures taken by the city and state cannot, however, prevent negligent drivers from causing dangerous accidents. If you or your child has been injured in a pedestrian accident, the Chicago pedestrian accident attorneys with the Bradley Law Firm will work diligently to ensure you receive the compensation needed to recover from any injuries. To see how our legal team can help you, call (312) 252-1488.
