KUDOS-IL. State Police!!!!!!!

[nitbob3]

This was the first time I had ever seen IL. State Police patrolling Interstate 74 between east of Morton and west of Bloomington yesterday (Saturday). This needs to be done more often as I drive to Bloomington/Normal 3 times a week and never once seen a State Trooper. I could drive 90-100 M.P.H. between Peoria and Bloomington and most likely wouldn't get caught. It's time for a crackdown on the Speeders on Interstate 74. I myself am I speeder. I admit it. I have gotten 2 speeding tickets within the last 90 days.

I was also thinking that isn't it a State Law in Illinois to pass someone in the left law and then get over to the right law, but I constantly see persons hogging up the left law and most people I see are from right here in Illinois?! It is also a shame that half the drivers on the road do not get over to the left lane to avoid vehicles stalled on the side of the interstate and do not signal when gettting over to the next lane and nearly cut you off. I am not stating this stuff speaking for myself, I see it happen to many more of you out there too.

 

[nascarfan999]

I was also thinking that isn't it a State Law in Illinois to pass someone in the left law and then get over to the right law, but I constantly see persons hogging up the left law and most people I see are from right here in Illinois?! It is also a shame that half the drivers on the road do not get over to the left lane to avoid vehicles stalled on the side of the interstate and do not signal when gettting over to the next lane and nearly cut you off. I am not stating this stuff speaking for myself, I see it happen to many more of you out there too.

Illinois does indeed have a law about the use of the passing lane, and there were news stories down here near St. Louis about ISP enforcing it quite a bit. I guess the officers and commanders up there don't enforce the law as much as their downstate coutnerparts.

 

[nitbob3]

Re:

Well, nascarfan999, at least not on Interstate 74 they don't (runs west/east) through the heart of the state. I have also noticed this on Interstate 80 between just west of Lasalle/Peru to just west of Joliet the IL. State Police seldom patrol this area and few hog the passing lane.

Illinois does indeed have a law about the use of the passing lane, and there were news stories down here near St. Louis about ISP enforcing it quite a bit. I guess the officers and commanders up there don't enforce the law as much as their downstate coutnerparts.

 

[baronofbeer]

This law is called Scott's Law.

And it would be nice to have some state cars up in my county. Most of them are down in the Peoria area. It's getting better since they've got a new Captain, but I'd like to see a car assigned to Stark County someday.

 

[wannabescannist]

Illinois does indeed have a law about the use of the passing lane, and there were news stories down here near St. Louis about ISP enforcing it quite a bit. I guess the officers and commanders up there don't enforce the law as much as their downstate coutnerparts.

Chicago is exempt

Two lanes in my opinion means, if one of 'em's slow, go to the other one (and I'm not talking about to speed or to help you drive more recklessly).

Then again, 90% of my driving is on city streets.

 

[N9JIG]

This law is called Scott's Law.

"Scott's Law" is actually an emergency vehicle protection law that was passed a couple years back when a firefighter was killed at a crash scene, named after Scott Gillen, the firefighter that died. See http://www.respondersafety.com/news/2001/august/news_scotts_law_passed.html for more info on this.

The Left Lane law prohibits the use of the left lane unless passing on rural expressways, it does not apply in urban areas. It was introduced to great fanfare a couple years ago and promptly forgotten.

 

[nitbob3]

Re:

So true Rich [It was introduced to great fanfare a couple years ago and promptly forgotten.] Rob

"Scott's Law" is actually an emergency vehicle protection law that was passed a couple years back when a firefighter was killed at a crash scene, named after Scott Gillen, the firefighter that died. See http://www.respondersafety.com/news/2001/august/news_scotts_law_passed.html for more info on this.

The Left Lane law prohibits the use of the left lane unless passing on rural expressways, it does not apply in urban areas. It was introduced to great fanfare a couple years ago and promptly forgotten.

 

[nitbob3]

Re:

Scott's Law, signed in August 2001, was designed to protect emergency workers in Illinois and penalize drivers who fail to yield the right-of-way to emergency vehicles by changing lanes or who cause accidents or injury to personnel at emergency scenes. Violators can face up to a $10,000 fine and may have their driver's license suspended.

P.S. I did see 2 State Troopers near Morton yesterday had someone pulled over. I guess District 8 is finally getting the message to crack down speeders on I-74/474. Heck, yesterday on my way to Bloomington, I had semis flying past me doing at least 80-85 easy. Yes, wannabescannist, Chicago is totally exempt. Anything and everything goes in Chicago and the burbs.

 

[daleduke17]

Bob, you should have been on I57 between West Frankfort and Marion Saturday. I was doing almost 80 and had at LEAST three semis blow my doors off. When my wife and I were headed back to Bloomington from Carbondale, IL 13 had about four ISP cars on it, and I57 had about another two or three on it. Then I didn't see a State car until we got to Vandalia.

I have also found that when you get close to district boundaries you won't see State cars that much (like near the McLean/Woodford line and DeWitt/Logan line. The only times I'll see them in those areas is on special details (like the old Wildside Cabaret details).

 

[baronofbeer]

Bob, you should have been on I57 between West Frankfort and Marion Saturday. I was doing almost 80 and had at LEAST three semis blow my doors off. When my wife and I were headed back to Bloomington from Carbondale, IL 13 had about four ISP cars on it, and I57 had about another two or three on it. Then I didn't see a State car until we got to Vandalia.

I have also found that when you get close to district boundaries you won't see State cars that much (like near the McLean/Woodford line and DeWitt/Logan line. The only times I'll see them in those areas is on special details (like the old Wildside Cabaret details).

Yeah, I don't think I've ever seen a state car on Route 78 at the Henry/Stark county lines. Ever.

 

[bessiedawg]

I travel through Illinois on I-74 frequently, and would agree that the number of patrol cars tends to vary from District to District. I see quite a few on I-74 in District 10, very few in District 6, and sporadic in District 8.

I have also seen patrol maps in a few of the Districts. It seems that there really isn't much rhyme or reason as to how the patrols are set up within each District.

 

[baronofbeer]

Pretty much. Second shift in District 8 is pretty much east side and west side of the Illinois River.

 

[cubn]

I travel I74 Champaign<>Downs quite a bit and rarely see any ISP cars on 74. If any, they are around the I74/I57 Interchange in Champaign, but it seems they spend more time on I57 than I74 around Champaign.

I see more ISP D6 cars on I55 from Normal<>Pontiac than I do on I74 east of Bloomingtno.

 

[bessiedawg]

I hardly ever see any east of Bloomington either.

 

[RADIOGUY2002]

Staffing vs. High Traffic Demmand

Increased patrol coverage to LaSalle on I80 is up. I've seen in increase on I-74 of patrol coverage done by sheriffs going to Macomb,IL. It is just not what you would expect to see as far as state vehicles. Open roads equal tac type cars, so next time that mustang pass you by at 90 with a quter wave, double think who is really driving in it. Not all state cars have the 102" whips anymore and are doing away with the nine antennas.

So far I have seen two mustangs, three crown vic's unmarked, and three unmarked suv's

 

[cheff21]

wow you guys actually want to see more cops. who cares if people are speeding.

the left lane pass only law was reported here in central illinois and reported to be enforced to get the word out about the law.

i just consider it common sense no matter what state im in. i get pissed when people dont give me a chance to get back in the right lane before they use it to pass me.

but it doesnt matter how many laws you pass, people in general are stupid and will never drive right.

 

[K9JLR]

wow you guys actually want to see more cops. who cares if people are speeding.

It can be dangerous and contribute to more accidents. Speed is a major factor in numerous fatal wrecks. Perhaps if people would slow down we would have a lot less road rage and even fewer speed-related accidents. It's against the law. The police have a duty and a right to enforce traffic laws, including speed. If you don't want a ticket and you are intimidated by more cops, then by all means slow the hell down. Please don't ride my bumper and then slam on the breaks when you pass me and see a cop..belly up and take your punishment.

 

[cheff21]

most those guys admit to speeding theirselves, how stupid is that. i go to peoria alot from blmgton and i have seen the lack of police but i have seen more accidents on 55 where the cops always are. i think it has less to do with speeding and more to do with other bad and skilless behavior oin the road. why would you get road rage because someone is speeding so long as they pass appropriately and are safe.