Posted: 7/9/2010 6:39:14 PM EDT
Got a 'Reminder' memo at work today. Cameras up and working in work zones in Illinois. If you are one (1) mph over posted work zone limit your first time fine will be $375 brought straight to you via snail mail. Your second violation will net you a $1000 fine; a ninety (90) day suspension and points against you that will raise your insurance rates. Keep on your toes fellow roughnecks...
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The photo vans are few and far between and they have a warning sign before you reach the can. They are nearly impossible to miss with all the markings on them as well. That's good to know as long as they keep it that way. I'm not complaining because every once in a while my line of work takes me along highways either doing the work or flagging. I feel that one (1) mph over the speed limit is a bit over the edge. The main problem I've seen when flagging is not the speeding but the dipsticks that are talking on the cell. There has been times when I've almost thrown the stop/slow sign at them to get their attention... 
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Not trying to defend the real idiots who seemingly enjoy playing live action dodge-the-auto with the brave folks in reflexite, but I think compliance with the limits would be higher if it wasn't policy to designate 30 miles of roadway as "construction zone" when there's only 100 feet of work happening at any given time (thinking back to a stretch of I-55 between Bloomington and Springfield two years ago)
I realize that all 30 miles are going to be replaced over the duration of the project, and that it's easier/safer to identify the entire stretch rather than have to leapfrog barricades. But the old designation and lower speed "when workers present" (and actually having it enforced) seemed like a much more reasonable arrangement that a seeming eternity of reduced lanes and speed at O-dark-thirty with no workers anywhere kept in check by <gasp> more laws. Unfortunately, "reasonable" and "Illinois" don't go together under the best of circumstances, and the same folks who would ban guns based on a hyperbolized threat seem to create similarly fantastical traffic laws as well.
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There has been times when I've almost thrown the stop/slow sign at them to get their attention... I've found a fire axe to be a pretty effective traffic compliance device when working on accident scenes. 
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Not trying to defend the real idiots who seemingly enjoy playing live action dodge-the-auto with the brave folks in reflexite, but I think compliance with the limits would be higher if it wasn't policy to designate 30 miles of roadway as "construction zone" when there's only 100 feet of work happening at any given time (thinking back to a stretch of I-55 between Bloomington and Springfield two years ago) I realize that all 30 miles are going to be replaced over the duration of the project, and that it's easier/safer to identify the entire stretch rather than have to leapfrog barricades. But the old designation and lower speed "when workers present" (and actually having it enforced) seemed like a much more reasonable arrangement that a seeming eternity of reduced lanes and speed at O-dark-thirty with no workers anywhere kept in check by <gasp> more laws. Unfortunately, "reasonable" and "Illinois" don't go together under the best of circumstances, and the same folks who would ban guns based on a hyperbolized threat seem to create similarly fantastical traffic laws as well.
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There has been times when I've almost thrown the stop/slow sign at them to get their attention... I've found a fire axe to be a pretty effective traffic compliance device when working on accident scenes.
+1... 
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Not trying to defend the real idiots who seemingly enjoy playing live action dodge-the-auto with the brave folks in reflexite, but I think compliance with the limits would be higher if it wasn't policy to designate 30 miles of roadway as "construction zone" when there's only 100 feet of work happening at any given time (thinking back to a stretch of I-55 between Bloomington and Springfield two years ago) I realize that all 30 miles are going to be replaced over the duration of the project, and that it's easier/safer to identify the entire stretch rather than have to leapfrog barricades. But the old designation and lower speed "when workers present" (and actually having it enforced) seemed like a much more reasonable arrangement that a seeming eternity of reduced lanes and speed at O-dark-thirty with no workers anywhere kept in check by <gasp> more laws. Unfortunately, "reasonable" and "Illinois" don't go together under the best of circumstances, and the same folks who would ban guns based on a hyperbolized threat seem to create similarly fantastical traffic laws as well.
You will see the construction zone signs first, you will have to pay attention and look for the work zone signs. The "work zone" will be close to the actual work. The work zone is where the enforcement would begin. The work zone signs have to be placed at 4 mile increments. Also no cell phones usage in work zones. |
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Conpliance and driver satisfaction would increase if they would only designate the true work zone.
Indiana has reduced speed limit signs that flash when the work speed is in effect. No workers, normal speed. Illinois construction companies must get paid by the number of orange cones they can drop. |
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Conpliance and driver satisfaction would increase if they would only designate the true work zone. Indiana has reduced speed limit signs that flash when the work speed is in effect. No workers, normal speed. Illinois construction companies must get paid by the number of orange cones they can drop. I agree. Indiana's method makes much more sense- "Speed Limit 45 When Flashing". Of course, Illinois' method probably generates more revenue. Don't misunderstand me- I'm all for reduced speed limits when there are actually workers present. I've been one of those guys working on the roads and even 45 seems pretty fast when you're the guy working close to the barricades. For the most part, traffic control is something most contractors subcontract to people who specialize in just that- traffic control. There are specific guidelines for the distances between barricades, the type of barricades, the rate of lane reduction, etc. The people who do the traffic control are set up to do it efficiently with special trucks and workers who do it every day. |
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Conpliance and driver satisfaction would increase if they would only designate the true work zone. Indiana has reduced speed limit signs that flash when the work speed is in effect. No workers, normal speed. Illinois construction companies must get paid by the number of orange cones they can drop. I agree. Indiana's method makes much more sense- "Speed Limit 45 When Flashing". Of course, Illinois' method probably generates more revenue. Don't misunderstand me- I'm all for reduced speed limits when there are actually workers present. I've been one of those guys working on the roads and even 45 seems pretty fast when you're the guy working close to the barricades. For the most part, traffic control is something most contractors subcontract to people who specialize in just that- traffic control. There are specific guidelines for the distances between barricades, the type of barricades, the rate of lane reduction, etc. The people who do the traffic control are set up to do it efficiently with special trucks and workers who do it every day. I took a three day class to learn how to do this in Denver... the above statement is correct... A Traffic Engineer designs the traffic control system and then signs off on it making sure it meets the highest possible required regulations. Then most companies just sub out the actual setting up and maintenance of the system. That way you have a certified person liable for making sure that you followed the guide lines, and that a license and bonded person is also installing and maintain the system for you. The CDOT in Denver is widely recognized as the most complete and precise interpretation of the rules pertaining to traffic flow and worker safety. I did not get certified after the class... I was sent to it to make sure our group had someone on staff that could understand why and how we were doing things and be able to fix or assist if need be. I could fill out the paperwork and get this done but other things going on right now to deal with that. The problem we have here in Ill is that when you include the High Way speeds into the formulas you end up with miles of signs and barricades for a relatively SMALL work zone. I do not want to be behind any barricade... let alone one separating me from cars and trucks flaying by less than a foot away… If they actually get the work done quickly and get out of the area then we are all happy… but when the drag work on… and on… and include multiple SMALL work zones in a row we end up with MILES of lane closures and a bunch of pissed off people! Me Included! I think this money making scheme they set up is totally BS. You have NO say into where they set up and where they want to go inside your work zone… Don’t blame the workers for that crap… it’s the Po-Po all the way! |
| Tango and CD, I've been using the ceramic from spark plugs for years. It does magic to windows, nor can it be seen. However for a more through provoking times I've used pick head, halligans, pike poles, and other implements of destruction when I really need to make a point |
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Quoted: Got a 'Reminder' memo at work today. Cameras up and working in work zones in Illinois. If you are one (1) mph over posted work zone limit your first time fine will be $375 brought straight to you via snail mail. Your second violation will net you a $1000 fine; a ninety (90) day suspension and points against you that will raise your insurance rates. Keep on your toes fellow roughnecks... They will not write you for one (1) mph over. They start writing at 11 mph. I got this first hand from one of the officers assigned to one of the photo vans. The technology is still not good enough to get 1 mph to hold up in court. As the others have said, the vans are few and far between, and there are plenty of signs warning you if they are set up and running. Mike F
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Got a 'Reminder' memo at work today. Cameras up and working in work zones in Illinois. If you are one (1) mph over posted work zone limit your first time fine will be $375 brought straight to you via snail mail. Your second violation will net you a $1000 fine; a ninety (90) day suspension and points against you that will raise your insurance rates. Keep on your toes fellow roughnecks... They will not write you for one (1) mph over. They start writing at 11 mph. I got this first hand from one of the officers assigned to one of the photo vans. The technology is still not good enough to get 1 mph to hold up in court. As the others have said, the vans are few and far between, and there are plenty of signs warning you if they are set up and running. Mike F Well that is good to know and I hope it is true. I work for a utility and we often get reminders of the new laws because we're on the roads so often. I was hoping that 1mph over was wrong but nowadays...who knows? That was just the memo we got from administration last week. |
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According to the police I have spoken with, its 11mph as well. Most automobile's speedometers aren't accurate to within 1mph. Hell, worn tires will throw your speedo off that much or more. The areas are also very well marked where the photo-vans will be. That's true about the speedometers and worn tires (not to mention putting different size tires on your vehicle). I hope you're right but I won't be testing the work zone speed limit by driving near or at the maximium allowed. |
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The photo vans are few and far between and they have a warning sign before you reach the can. They are nearly impossible to miss with all the markings on them as well. That's good to know as long as they keep it that way. I'm not complaining because every once in a while my line of work takes me along highways either doing the work or flagging. I feel that one (1) mph over the speed limit is a bit over the edge. The main problem I've seen when flagging is not the speeding but the dipsticks that are talking on the cell. There has been times when I've almost thrown the stop/slow sign at them to get their attention...
How about 10 miles over the speed limit? Why not raise the limit then. Sorry but I am in agreement with the law about being one mile over. If you are not responsible enough to drive the limit then perhaps you should not drive. Why not take their picture with a camera when you are flagging and send it to the ISP so they can get a ticket? |
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Grumpy Old Woman was written by a Trooper for 10 over in a construction zone.
She saw no construction in progress, didn't remember a construction speed limit sign and says that she was being passed by other traffic before she was pulled over. However, she had out of state plates. As I read the statute, all construction zone speeding citations are "Must Appears" with the enhanced fine structure, plus court fees. I hired a local lawyer to appear on her behalf, after all was said and done, almost $1,000.00 in fines, court costs and lawyer's fee. I agree, no active construction, no construction speed restriction. But I don't run the Illinois DOT. |
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One of the other annoying things about these Illinois Idiot zones, is where they cycle the zones in/out several times over a few miles. 90 west of the tri-state was pretty bad for a while with the bridge repairs. There was a 45 zone every couple miles, enough so that if you took it enough times eventually you'd get confused/miss the speed zone signs.
I hate the 30 mile long zones, but i only have to think about it once and set my cruise. The other ones ... god forbid you're actually paying attention to traffic and not the 10,000 orange signs littering the road. |
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The photo vans are few and far between and they have a warning sign before you reach the can. They are nearly impossible to miss with all the markings on them as well. That's good to know as long as they keep it that way. I'm not complaining because every once in a while my line of work takes me along highways either doing the work or flagging. I feel that one (1) mph over the speed limit is a bit over the edge. The main problem I've seen when flagging is not the speeding but the dipsticks that are talking on the cell. There has been times when I've almost thrown the stop/slow sign at them to get their attention...
How about 10 miles over the speed limit? Why not raise the limit then. Sorry but I am in agreement with the law about being one mile over. If you are not responsible enough to drive the limit then perhaps you should not drive. Why not take their picture with a camera when you are flagging and send it to the ISP so they can get a ticket? Ok, so take into account mechanical issues and the fact that speedometers from the factory have a larger tolerance range than 1mph? |
| There are tons of guidelines and standards that are used in designing or implementing a construction zone. I haven't been involved in Indiana design or construction but a good example of why Chicagoland uses 45 mph zones 24/7 is due to the weaves, narrow lanes and barrier wall. Some of these areas are not safe to travel faster than 45mph even if there aren't workers present. |
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The photo vans are few and far between and they have a warning sign before you reach the can. They are nearly impossible to miss with all the markings on them as well. That's good to know as long as they keep it that way. I'm not complaining because every once in a while my line of work takes me along highways either doing the work or flagging. I feel that one (1) mph over the speed limit is a bit over the edge. The main problem I've seen when flagging is not the speeding but the dipsticks that are talking on the cell. There has been times when I've almost thrown the stop/slow sign at them to get their attention...
How about 10 miles over the speed limit? Why not raise the limit then. Sorry but I am in agreement with the law about being one mile over. If you are not responsible enough to drive the limit then perhaps you should not drive. Why not take their picture with a camera when you are flagging and send it to the ISP so they can get a ticket? Ok, so take into account mechanical issues and the fact that speedometers from the factory have a larger tolerance range than 1mph? Why even have speed limits then if we are going to not obey them? The law says 45 is the limit. 46 is greater than 45 so a person should be able to be ticketed at 45. |
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Since I stopped seeing this psychopath girl who lived a good hour from home, I have not been on the highway much lately. Once in a while yes, but not as much as before. I have yet to see one of these speed limit enforcement vans.
I am absolutely all for driving slow in construction zones. On my second job as a firefighter, when we are working on an accident, it is the same feeling being on the side of the road working the call as I am sure construction workers feel. Some drivers are just so blind and ignorant they darn near run you over and don't even blink an eye. I have not yet thought of using any of the tools as "reminders" to drivers, but that seems like something I will consider in the future. ;-) That being said. I think the entire moving violation system is a scam. I am sure at one time it was in place to keep people safe. But between the red light cameras, the speeding cameras, and seat belt tickets (I am for wearing a seat belt, but feel it is a person's choice similar to a motorycle helmet), they are sucking way too much money out of peoples' pockets. The whole government and system does not know how to properly manage and spend money, and the answer is always to draw more from the people. When they say they won't pull it from taxes, they simply get it somewhere else. And they know that ticketing people for a few mph over is a great money maker. They put the speeding in cameras in high traffic areas where they know traffic will be moving. They put the red light cameras not at the most accident prone intersections, oh no. They put them at the busiest intersections. Hmmm...
I have heard from numerous police officers I have talked to over time, and they all personally have told me it is not so much the speed that becomes the hazard. It is the individual drivers that are going significantly faster or slower than the flow that are the biggest problem. I can't tell you how much I have been almost run off the road by setting my cruise at approximately 42mph in a construction zone in an effort to follow the rule, respect the workers, and avoid a ticket. |
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Since I stopped seeing this psychopath girl who lived a good hour from home, I have not been on the highway much lately. Once in a while yes, but not as much as before. I have yet to see one of these speed limit enforcement vans. I am absolutely all for driving slow in construction zones. On my second job as a firefighter, when we are working on an accident, it is the same feeling being on the side of the road working the call as I am sure construction workers feel. Some drivers are just so blind and ignorant they darn near run you over and don't even blink an eye. I have not yet thought of using any of the tools as "reminders" to drivers, but that seems like something I will consider in the future. ;-) That being said. I think the entire moving violation system is a scam. I am sure at one time it was in place to keep people safe. But between the red light cameras, the speeding cameras, and seat belt tickets (I am for wearing a seat belt, but feel it is a person's choice similar to a motorycle helmet), they are sucking way too much money out of peoples' pockets. The whole government and system does not know how to properly manage and spend money, and the answer is always to draw more from the people. When they say they won't pull it from taxes, they simply get it somewhere else. And they know that ticketing people for a few mph over is a great money maker. They put the speeding in cameras in high traffic areas where they know traffic will be moving. They put the red light cameras not at the most accident prone intersections, oh no. They put them at the busiest intersections. Hmmm...
I have heard from numerous police officers I have talked to over time, and they all personally have told me it is not so much the speed that becomes the hazard. It is the individual drivers that are going significantly faster or slower than the flow that are the biggest problem. I can't tell you how much I have been almost run off the road by setting my cruise at approximately 42mph in a construction zone in an effort to follow the rule, respect the workers, and avoid a ticket. +1 |
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The vans tend to be more visible down south. Not saying that there isn't one up here, but South of 74, is where I see them more often.
I was able to find a quick video about the van, but I don't know how to embed so here is the link Photo Van |