By Colin H. Gilbert
http://www.dgaalaw.com/colin-gilbert.html
cgilbert@dgaalaw.com
The New Year in Illinois comes with new speed limits to match. A new Illinois law raised the rural speed limits to 70 mph. A map that the Illinois Department of Transportation recently released details exactly which highways qualify for the new limit. As it turns out, about 90 percent of the Illinois highway by mileage will get the upgraded speeds. Although the law technically went into effect at the start of the year, the speed limits will not actually change until the state’s crews change the signs on the highways, a process they expect to complete by January 17th, assuming the weather permits.
With these new limits, motorists should keep aware of the penalties that come along with speeding violations. The most obvious consequence that comes along with a speeding violation in Illinois is the fine. Simple speeding tickets are petty offenses, which come with a fine capped at $1,000. However, speeding tickets in excess of 20 mph over the posted speed limit trigger the charge of reckless driving. In Illinois, reckless driving is a Class A misdemeanor, which means that the fine can go as high as $2500. In cases of reckless driving, the judge may also sentence the offender to up to one year in prison.
In addition to the fines and jail time, speeding tickets also add points to a person’s license. The amount of points added depends upon how much the driver exceeds the posted speed limit by.
• 0-10 mph over the speed limit: 5 points
• 11-14 mph over the speed limit: 15 points
• 15-25 mph over the speed limit: 20 points
• 26 or more mph over the speed limit: 50 points
• Reckless driving: 55 points
- The points on a driver’s license come into effect in the event that a driver receives three tickets in a 12 month period. If that happens, then the state can suspend their driver’s license for a certain amount of time, the length of which is determined by the number of points on the license.
• 15 to 44 points: 2 month suspension
• 45 to 74 points: 3 month suspension
• 75 to 89 points: 6 month suspension
• 90 to 99 points: 9 month suspension
• 100 to 109 points: 12 month suspension
• 110 points or more: revocation
If you have recently received a speeding ticket or other traffic violation, contact an Arlington Heights traffic attorney today. Their knowledge and experience can help ensure your rights are properly defended in Crystal Lake, Inverness, Deer Park, and the surrounding areas.