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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 17^th, 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.

Drivers in Illinois face a complex system of penalties every time they get a traffic ticket or moving violation. These penalties can include fines, points on their driving record, and even the suspension of a driver’s license. Plus, convictions for traffic offenses often increase the cost of a person’s car insurance.

Traffic Violation Consequences

One of the most immediate and noticeable results of a traffic conviction is the fine that tends to accompany them. These fines range anywhere from $50 to $350 for most offenses, while more serious violations, like DUIs, can cost $2500 for a first offender. But, Illinois imposes penalties beyond those fines for traffic tickets. The state of Illinois uses a point system to track a driver’s history of offenses. These point values range from five points for driving below the minimum speed limit all the way up to 55 points for reckless driving.

Accruing points can cause serious problems for drivers, especially if they commit three traffic offenses within a twelve month period. If that happens, the state can suspend their driver’s license for a certain amount of time (anywhere from two to 12 months) based on the number of points on the license. Additionally, if the driver has over 110 points on their license the state can revoke their license. Unlike suspensions, which end after a certain amount of time, revocations last at least one year, but may last longer and depend on the government’s discretion.

Traffic convictions also increase a driver’s insurance premiums. One study showed that convictions can raise rates by as much as 22 percent for something like reckless driving, or 11 percent for a smaller offense like speeding. To put that in perspective, the average driver pays $850 a year to insure their car, which means that a speeding ticket would cost about $85 every year on top of the fine and the risk of suspension.

What You Can Do Before Conviction

You can take several steps to avoid the consequences that come along with traffic convictions. Of course, you should always drive carefully and obey the rules of the road. Beyond that, taking a defensive driving may qualify you for a reduction in your car insurance rates. Additionally, contesting the traffic tickets can help you avoid these consequences.

Fighting the ticket in court can severely decrease, and even completely eliminate the penalties that come from traffic violations. And, you don’t have to fight it on your own. Contact an experienced Arlington Heights traffic attorney today. We help residents throughout the area, including Chicago, Crystal Lake, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, and Buffalo Grove.