Illinois speed limit increase concerns state police

 Posted on August 30, 2013 in Firm News

Cars, trucks, SUVs, motorcycles, tractor-trailers and farm equipment all share the roads and highways throughout rural Illinois. This wide range of vehicle types poses unique risks for accidents. Driving conditions, speed, weather and any driver impairments or distractions also have direct affects on the number and severity of motor vehicle accidents in the state. From single-car accidents to fender benders to deadly multi-car pile-ups, accidents take place everyday.

A new Illinois highway speed limit bill approved by the state legislature has now been approved by the governor. The new law, set to take effect January 2014, will raise the Illinois highway speed limit from its current 65 miles per hour to 70 miles per hour. Since 1995, almost 36 other states have increased their highway speed limits to 70 miles per hour. 

Supporters of the bill say it will help streamline and regular traffic flow on the highways because so many drivers already travel at 70 miles per hour. The state Department of Transportation and state police were against the speed limit increase saying that they believe it could increase the risk for auto accidents. The impact of a car accident depends largely on the speed of the vehicle or vehicles involved.

An auto accident can happen at any time, regardless of the type of vehicles being driven or the speeds at which they are being driven. Taking appropriate precautions and following all of the laws of the road can help keep you safe much of the time but it cannot eliminate the chance for you to be involved in an accident. If you are hit or injured in a car crash, you might want to talk with a personal injury attorney to learn your rights.

Source: KSDK NBC News, "Gov.Pat Quinn signs 70 mph speed limit for rural highways," Brandie Piper, August 19, 2013