On average, there are 4,800 work zone motor vehicle crashes annually in Illinois. The Illinois Department of Transportation kicked off National Work Zone Awareness Week Monday to encourage motorist to slow down in construction zones.
Photo by Roger Starkey
Speed and inattentiveness are major contributing factors to work zone crashes, according to IDOT. In 2013, there were over 1,000 injures in work zone crashes. Provisional numbers show 28 fatalities in work zone crashes, including one IDOT worker.
Photo speed enforcement vans, operated by the Illinois State Police, are being deployed in work zones. Signs announcing the vans’ potential presence are posted prior to motorists entering the work zone and a speed indicator board above the van gives the driver one last chance to slow down.
Under regulations that took effect in 2004, work zone speed fines are $375 for first-time offenders and $1,000 for second-time offenders, regardless of the presence of workers. If workers are present, motorists can lose their driver’s license for 90 days if they get a second violation. If a motorist hits a worker, they face a $10,000 fine and up to 14 years in prison.
A new distracted driving law went into effect in Illinois on Jan. 1, 2014 that prohibits the use of all hand-held electronic devices while driving. Using an electronic device to text, email, correspond electronically or access the internet, while driving, is also illegal in Illinois.
On Friday, April 11, IDOT workers, along with State Police, the Tollway and local labor unions will be at rest stops statewide, reminding motorists to drive safely in work zones.
