Decrease in Speeding Tickets in Cook County

 Posted on December 22,2013 in Traffic Offenses

Over the last few years, there has been a decrease in the number of speeding tickets issued in and around Chicago. Based on data from 2010 to 2012, there was a quarter fewer tickets both in the city and in segments of the surrounding counties.

There are a couple of possible reasons for this decrease. An analysis completed by reporters from the Chicago Tribune has shown that the state police department is very lenient on the state’s expressways. Most tickets are written when a motorist is going at least 20 miles over the posted speed limit of 55. Provided that high threshold, it is not likely to find people to give speeding tickets.

Another reason for the decrease in speeding tickets is state-wide budget cuts. There are fewer troopers on the road which means there are fewer people to give out tickets.

Illinois State Police Commander Patrick Murphy, who is in charge of training troopers, has his own theories. He said that there are fewer drivers on the road. In fact, from 2007 to 2011 there was a near 4 percent decrease in miles driven by vehicles in Illinois. There was also an almost 2 percent decrease in the number of registered vehicles on the road.

Murphy also said that the fines for speeding have increased so much that drivers are taking notice. The current fee for speeding up to 20 miles over the speed limit is $120. If a driver is caught driving between 20 to 30 miles over the limit, the fee increases to $140. Over that speed and drivers can face fees of $160. In 2014, those fees are set to increase although the penalties are yet to be settled.

Although the amount of tickets has decreased over the years, that doesn’t mean that it is safe to speed. Law enforcement agencies are looking at other ways to police highways. They are using air details that hover over traffic and communicate vehicle speed and license plate numbers to local squad cars. Parked vans are also placed on roads to catch speeders and mail tickets to their homes.

Speeding tickets are very serious. If you have more than three moving violations during a year, then you can have your license suspended. If you have been accused of a crime, then seek legal assistance. Contact a knowledgeable criminal defense attorney in Cook County today.