Nearly annually every late Spring, an email starts circulating around inboxes stating that, beginning in July, there will be photo enforced construction zones in Illinois and that by going 1 MPH over the speed limit, drivers will receive a $375 ticket.
SiliconPrairieSocial researchers dug into this “chain mail” and discovered many details that are either incorrect or missing so much context that it makes the warning generally useless. Get the correct information below. The chain email is as follows:
“Starts in July! Illinois will begin using photo radar in highway/tollway work zones in July.
One mile per hour over the speed limit and the machine will get you a nice $375.00 ticket in the mail. Beginning July 1st, the State of Illinois will begin using the speed cameras in areas designated as “Work Zones” on major highways/tollways. Anyone caught by these devices will be mailed a $375.00 ticket for the FIRST offense. The SECOND offense will cost $1000.00 and comes with a 90-Day suspension. Drivers will also receive demerit points against their license, which allow insurance companies to raise Insurance rates.
This is the harshest penalty structure ever set for a governmental unit involving PHOTO speed enforcement. The State already has two camera vans on line issuing tickets 24/7 in work zones with speed limits lowered to 45 MPH. Photos of both the Driver’s face and License plate are taken.
Pass this on to everyone you know who might be affected!!”
How the email is wrong or misconstrued?
1. Illinois State Police have been employing automatic radar systems in highway work zones since 2004. The original legislation dates back to then and is not recent. The Illinois State Police press release.
2. Vans are only present when construction workers are on the job, meaning that vans do not operate 24/7 in construction zones, though they may operate day or night. Additionally, signs will be posted notifying drivers of photo enforced speeds, and the van will notify drivers with a separate radar if their speed is too high before they reach the photo radar zone. Illinois Department of Transportation Photo Enforcement Information.
3. There is a buffer zone of how many MPH over the speed limit drivers can go before activating the automated ticketing radar, and even then, each ticket is reviewed by a human before being mailed to you with your violation information. Drivers will not receive tickets for going 1 Mph over the speed limit; however, Illinois State Police are keeping close tabs on what the actual buffer speed is. Story from St. Louis Today News Website.
See more information on the chain email’s history at the Snopes.com article about it.
