Stricter Laws for Speeding in a School Zone?

Public Policy is always geared toward the safety of the public and more importantly the safety of children. School Zones are set up, in and around schools to protect children/students when crossing the street or when walking adjacent to the School's roads.

As you can imagine, Illinois is intolerant of speeding motorists in school zones and has enacted very harsh provisions in the name of public policy. It appears that Illinois is not satisfied with the current provisions of the Speeding in a School Zone statute and is now seeking to tighten up any perceived "Loopholes."

To read the full article Click Here.

Currently, the Illinois Speeding in a School Zone statute requires that, "On a school day when school children are present and so close thereto that a potential hazard exists because of the close proximity of the motorized traffic, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour while passing a school zone or while traveling on a roadway on public school property or upon any public thoroughfare where children pass going to and from school."

What the Illinois legislature is trying to do now, is require drivers' to slow to 20 mph in a school zone, any time a child is nearby, regardless of whether school is in session.

Critics argue that this is an attempt by the Illinois legislature to generate more funds for the State in the form of fines and costs. As stated in the Chicago Tribune article, "Opponents questioned how the measure would be enforced and contended it was a money grab targeting drivers in Chicago, where schools more frequently dot neighborhoods than in suburban or downstate towns."

To read more about Speeding in a School Zone Click Here.

This legislation was approved 90-11 and it now goes before the Senate for a vote.