There is a misconception that as long as people stay within five miles per hour (mph) over the speed limit, they are within the law, but this is not true. Chicago drivers cannot go any mph over the posted limit and must obey speed limits at all times or they may receive a fine from a police officer. Any kind of speeding could be considered negligent or reckless driving.
Additionally, Chicago’s new automated speed enforcement program will ticket drivers in speed zones who are going 6 mph or more over the posted speed limit. A speeding vehicle may incur more than a speeding ticket from police officers. Depending on the situation you could have your driver’s license suspended or worse.
In this Article
We have answered these related questions you may have about how much you can go over the speed limit in Chicago:
On March 1, 2021, Chicago began ticketing owners of motor vehicles allegedly speeding just 6 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. An inherently unpopular program, the City’s new speed limit enforcement is to help reduce traffic fatalities, which have apparently increased by 45-75%.
Though safety is always a concern, it is also no secret that the City hopes to increase revenue through this speed limit ordinance. During the warning period of the ordinance, Chicago sent out 52,498 warnings the first week to drivers exceeding the speed limit. That could have been one speeding ticket every twelve seconds. Further, this could mean an extra $100 million for the City of Chicago.
Critics of this ordinance are easy to find. North Side Alderman Maria Hadden called this speed limit enforcement policy as another way of “nickeling and diming” Chicago residents. And it’s hard to disagree when the new ordinance is introduced during a time where Chicagoans may already be hurting financially due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
While the City tries to justify the speed limit enforcement program with the promise of increased public safety, there appears to be research that shows the contrary. There are studies from Case Western Reserve University in 2018 and the Chicago Tribune in 2014 that show an increase of collisions that result from the use of red light or speed cameras.
The studies suggest while the number of T-bone collisions decrease with the use of red-light cameras by 15%, the number of non-angle collisions, such as rear-end crashes, increase by 22%.
Regardless of the effectiveness in safety, the automated speed cameras and enforced speed limits are a reality that might directly impact your bank account.
How much is a speeding camera ticket in Chicago?
Tickets for exceeding the speed limit are now $35.00 for driving 6 mph to 10 mph over the speed limit and $100.00 for driving faster than 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.
Where are the speed cameras located?
There will always be signage posted at automated speed camera zones. In addition to signage, there are also pavement markings. Look for the signs that give you notice and see whether or not it is “photo enforced.”
Automated Speed Enforcement Cameras and The Children’s Safety Zone Program
Additionally, on March 1, 2021, Chicago started enforcing tickets as part of The Children’s Safety Zone Program. These areas of automated enforcement are near Chicago’s parks and schools and are meant to remind motorists to slow down to protect children and pedestrians. These Safety Zones are found in areas within 1/8th of a mile distance from schools and parks.
The hours and locations where these speed cameras operate is limited to:
School zones enforcement hours are limited to 7AM to 7PM on school days, Monday-Friday. Different speed limits come into effect depending on whether a child is present:
7AM to 4PM the speed limit is 20 MPH when children are present. When no children are present, the posted speed limit is in effect.
7AM to 7PM the posted speed limit is in effect.
Park zone enforcement will be limited to the park opening hours, which are typically 6AM to 11PM seven days per week.
Additional things that are important to know about The Children’s Safety Zone Program is that warning notices with no fines will be issued for the first 30 days when a new camera is installed and active in a Safety Zone. And the first time a vehicle is caught speeding in one of these zones, the vehicle owner will receive a warning, not a ticket.
Can I see where the speed cameras are located online?
While you cannot possibly remember where all the speeding cameras are located so that you can avoid them, it might be helpful to see where they are to remind you to stay within the posted speed limit.
The Chicago Department of Transportation published a Chicago Traffic Tracker that allows you to see where the speed cameras are located. The website also features other helpful information like real time traffic information, red light cameras, pedestrian counts, and what areas of travel are congested.
How quickly do speed camera tickets come through?
Worried that you did not slow down enough when you saw that you were entering a speed camera zone and want to know how many mph over the speed limit you may have been driving? A ticket along with a notice should arrive at the registered owner’s address within five to seven business days.
If you think you were driving over the speed limit and may have received a red light ticket in the City of Chicago but cannot wait to see if you get it in the mail, you can also check for parking, red light, and automated speeding tickets online.
Do Chicago speed camera tickets go on your record?
No, they do not. They are not considered moving violations so they do not go on your driving record.
Similarly, automated speeding tickets will not affect your insurance rates. Speed camera and red light camera tickets are similar to parking tickets in this regard.
However, ordinary speeding tickets where you are pulled over by the police and given a ticket by a law enforcement officer may go on your record and/or affect your insurance premiums.
If I receive an Automated Speed enforcement ticket, can I see video of the alleged violation on the internet?
Yes. Video and still photographs will be made available to the registered vehicle owner. Visit violationinfo.com/Chicago/ and have your ticket number and license plate number handy. The video and photographs will also include the recorded speed so you can review how many miles per hour over the speed limit you may have been going.
Can I contest the Automated Speed enforcement ticket?
What happens if I try to ignore the speeding ticket?
If no response or payment is received by the City of Chicago, then a Notice of Determination is sent to the vehicle owner notifying them that they are found liable. From then, you have an additional twenty-one days to appear in person to try to set aside the default determination.
If no further action is taken within the additional twenty-one days, then a Notice of Final Determination is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. A fine can be levied against the owner in addition to the original amount of the ticket.
If appropriate, you can assert one or several of the following defenses to an alleged camera speeding ticket:
The respondent was not the owner or lessee of the cited vehicle at the time of the recording;
The citied vehicle or its license plates were stolen at the time of the violation;
The facts alleged in the speeding violation notice are inconsistent or do not support a finding that the specified regulation was violated;
The operator of the vehicle was issued a Uniform Traffic Citation for a speeding violation occurring within one-eighth of a mile and 15 minutes of the violation that was recorded by the system;
The vehicle was an authorized emergency vehicle.
I Have More Questions, How Can I Get Help?
If you were seriously injured by someone who was speeding, do not hesitate to reach out to us at The Kryder Law Group, LLC. Our experienced car accident attorneys are ready to answer questions about your case for free!
Speeding drivers place other drivers at risk for serious harm and possible death. Speed limits are laws that are in place to protect drivers, their passengers, pedestrians, and bicyclists.
If you or a loved one sustained an injury due to a speeding driver, you might be entitled to compensation. Our experienced personal injury lawyers can help identify the at-fault driver and pursue justice on your behalf. Call now for a free consultation.
(312) 223-1700