Oak Lawn Police Ramp Up Speed Enforcement Patrols In July

OAK LAWN, IL—If your street has been sounding like NASCAR lately, the Oak Lawn Police Department will be cracking down on speeding throughout the month of July. Motorists can expect increased patrols looking for speeders, as well as other traffic violations.

Oak Lawn police is partnering with the Illinois Department of Transportation, the Illinois State Police and more than 200 local law enforcement agencies to step up enforcement efforts across the state to reduce speeding.

“Speeding causes unnecessary danger on our roads,” said Lt. Nick Kumke of the Oak Lawn Police Department. “Speed greatly reduces a driver’s ability to steer safely around another vehicle, a hazardous object or an unexpected curve. Speeding drivers put themselves, their passengers and other motorists at tremendous risk.”

During the speeding enforcement blitz, officers will intensify enforcement of posted speed limits.

“Offenders will be stopped and ticketed, especially on neighborhood streets, school zones, or main roads, where most of our speed-related crashes occur,” Kumke said. “Our goal is to save lives.”

According to the Illinois Rules of the Road, motorists may drive at the maximum allowable speed only under safe conditions. If there are no posted signs, the following speed limits apply unless otherwise posted:

• Interstates and highways - 70 mph
• Highways with four lanes - 65 mph
• Other highways and rural areas - 55 mph
• City/town areas - 30 mph
• Alleys - 15 mph
• School zones - 20 mph (school days between 6:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. when children are present and signs are posted).
• Posted construction zone speed limits must be obeyed 24/7, regardless of the presence of workers

The speed enforcement effort is made possible by federal traffic safety funds administered by IDOT.