Avoiding Chicago Traffic Tickets (store, moving, cars)

[gabaghoul]

Hi,

I'm driving to Chicago for the first time from Indy on Thanksgiving. I heard that Chicago is notorious for traffic tickets...can you give me some tips to avoid getting traffic tickets? Any specific things I should be aware of like cameras and such?

Thanks!

[mayhem_223]

Originally Posted by gabaghoul

Hi,

I'm driving to Chicago for the first time from Indy on Thanksgiving. I heard that Chicago is notorious for traffic tickets...can you give me some tips to avoid getting traffic tickets? Any specific things I should be aware of like cameras and such?

Thanks!

the most common cars I see pulled out on the road recently are old cars for some reason, I dunno, perhaps they use the profile of car condition to catch drug dealers...

As long as you go 60-65 you wont get ticket and little bit slow down on work zones. If you have one of your lights busted up and plan to drive at night, you need to fix it.

Also if you have Android or iphone smartphone, you could download Waze to track down any incidents reported by drivers including police patrols. very handy app!

[Manigault]

Originally Posted by gabaghoul

Hi,

I'm driving to Chicago for the first time from Indy on Thanksgiving. I heard that Chicago is notorious for traffic tickets...can you give me some tips to avoid getting traffic tickets? Any specific things I should be aware of like cameras and such?

Thanks!

1. Do like the locals do.

2. Don't go through yellow lights.

3. Don't insist on turning on a red signal.

4. If stopped, don't presume (or state!) that the police would be better utilized going after criminals.

[aragx6]

I second Waze; I haven't used it in Chicago (but I'd imagine with a city its size there would be a lot of users, which is the key to its success) but it's a handy little program to be sure.

[ToriaT]

Parking tickets could be at play too. Make sure you look at the signs and do not park in street cleaning zones or loading zones or anywhere else you should not park. It is really hard to find a place to park in some areas. Also do not park in store parking lots unless you plan on going to that store. Towing is a big danger and very costly.

[long101]

You have to be doing something very stupid to get a moving violation. Parking ticket, well, if you only get one while your here be happy

[aragx6]

Originally Posted by long101

You have to be doing something very stupid to get a moving violation. Parking ticket, well, if you only get one while your here be happy

In the city? Yes. The drive in is probably a different story though.

[jdiddy]

Originally Posted by gabaghoul

Hi,

I'm driving to Chicago for the first time from Indy on Thanksgiving. I heard that Chicago is notorious for traffic tickets...can you give me some tips to avoid getting traffic tickets? Any specific things I should be aware of like cameras and such?

Thanks!

Check out Trapster if you have a smartphone.

[rca215]

I don't really think it's much different from most places I've been in the US. On the highways, I'd say you're less likely to get a ticket given the generally high volume of traffic. On the city streets, I think you're much less likely to get a ticket for things like speeding and stop signs. The main thing to be aware of (for now) is red light cameras. Don't push it on yellow lights.

[ChiNaan]

Chicago is notorious for parking tickets. For traffic tickets, not so much, other than the ones generated by the red light cameras, which are only at certain intersections (which you can look up online), and which are avoided by stopping in time.

As for regular traffic tickets, you're more likely to get one in Indy or on I-65 on your trip than you are in Chicago. I regularly see people in Chicago pull illegal traffic moves in front of cops that would get them a ticket most other places (not signaling, going 10 over the speed limit, making u-turns, coasting through stop signs, etc.) For the most part cops have bigger fish to fry here.

If you're going to park on the street, though, read parking signs very carefully. You may have to walk up and down the street to find the sign. When in doubt, just park in a pay lot. It's cheaper than a parking ticket. I've never been pulled over or received a red light camera ticket, but I've had many parking tickets, as has everyone I know who owns a car in the city. Most have been towed at least once, too.