The good news never ends - Speed Cameras! (Chicago, Time: mortgage, homes)

[prairiestate]

Life in the Fast Lane: Get on camera, pay $100 -- chicagotribune.com

Yeah, I know, don't speed and it's not an issue. Two things to consider.

1. How do you know you're NEVER speeding. Even if you are absolutely determined to go only 30 mph in a 30 mph zone, the only way you can be positive you never hit 31 is if you never take your eyes off the speedometer. Now, which is more dangerous, going 1 mph over the limit, or not watching the road because you must look at the speedometer at all times?

2. What are the odds that the speedometer in your car and the speed camera will be calibrated exactly the same? Your speedometer says you're going 30 in a 30 mph zone, but what if the speed camera records you at 31? It's going to cost you a hundred dollars.

So, if this happens, we can probably expect to receive at least one ticket per day. Hopefully everyone has an extra $2000 or more a month for speeding tickets. Get ready to mortgage your homes for the privilege of driving in Chicagoland.

[scarletneon]

watching the speedometer is not that difficult, come on.

well i guess it is if you're busy texting, or talking on the phone, or eating breakfast/lunch/dinner or reading the paper or putting on make up or any other sorts of things you wacky drivers do because you don't give yourself enough time to do it when you're at home.

[prairiestate]

So, you watch the speedometer EVERY second while driving, so you NEVER go even 1 .mph over the limit? Pretty impressive, care to share your technique? Today I was merging onto the expressway, and of course had to look behind me while accelerating. I couldn't see the speedometer. If I ended up at 56 instead of 55, it would cost me $100 next year.

[scarletneon]

you don't have to watch it every second. i've somehow managed to make it driving for a long time without any speeding tickets, and that's contending with old fashioned southern speed traps.

i'll admit, if they put them where you're going to merge into traffic, that would be pretty ridiculous. but then again, i don't see in the article where it says they'll get you if you're going ONE mph over.

also, cruise control is a life saver.

[ajolotl]

I assume they'll build in substantial margin to account for all of the calibration uncertainties. It is still annoying because it is unnatural to me. I grew up with the concept of speeding being more like calling balls and strikes in a baseball game. It wasn't supposed to be 100% literal and quantitative, depended always on the context, aspects of recent history, and was an ongoing relationship and negotiation between police and driver. I always took the speed limits to be at least somewhat suggestive.

Still, though, I don't think "maximum speed" should mean "minimum speed" as it is interpreted typically, so maybe some good will come out of it.

[prairiestate]

Well, in one article a state legislator said if a town wanted to set it catch people going 1 mph over the limit that would be fine if it meant saving a life. Not to worry, though. I'm sure we can expect plenty of common sense from Illinois politicians.

[Avengerfire]

Don't these morons in the legislature have better things to do?

[cohdane]

I drive on the Edens in Lake County every week. It's typical for me to be driving 65-70 and have people flying past me like I'm PARKED.

So....I welcome those cameras. Even if it means I'll have to cap my own speeding at 55-60 or so.

[prairiestate]

On a slightly unrelated note, an interesting article on a woman who owed the tollway authority $51,000 for a years worth of fines that they never notified her of.

Toll scofflaws offered a big break on fines :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Transportation (http://www.suntimes.com/news/transportation/1497270,illinois-tollway-contest-fines-032609.article - broken link)

Yeah, the state will be looking out for us, don't worry about it. And for every one that is thrilled by this, next time you're out driving, try a little experiment and make sure you NEVER, EVER go even one mile over the speed limit. Once you realize it can't be done it would be interesting to see your thoughts on this then.

And, even if you succeed, do you actually trust that the speed cameras will be calibrated perfectly with your speedometer?

These seem to be pretty common in Arizona, and as far as I know, they aren't in the habit of stealing from their citizens like Illinois politicians, yet:

//www.city-data.com/forum/phoen...1mph-over.html

Just imagine what tricks they'll pull here.

[trailerguy]

They are claiming it is a "safety measure" and not meant for revenue enhancement. Anyone here believe that? Me neither.

They also claim they will only ticket motorists going 11 MPH over the posted limit. But we only have their word for it.

My state senator (Terry Link) is a cosponsor of this travesty. Makes me real sorry I voted for him.

Of course, this is simply another way of closing the gigantic budget gap without making any real effort to cut spending in the event the 50% income tax hike fails to go through. I really love Illinois, but I am really getting sick of this.