The Illinois State Police are reminding drivers to slow down on the I-74 Bridge by handing out speeding tickets from their eye in the sky. The Illinois State Police Plane flew over the I-74 Bridge on June 7th, 2023 and snapped aerial photos that turned up a high level of speeding across the relatively new bridge. According to ISP, they issued 20 speeding citations during the two hours the plane was over the bridge. One ticket was for someone driving 112 miles per hour on the bridge. The speed limit is 55 Miles Per Hour.
The IL State Police Plane was out again on June 15th for a second speeding detail. This time, 17 speeding tickets were issued with the highest speed ticketed at 99 Miles Per Hour. In a statement to the media, the Illinois State Police detailed why it is important not to speed on the bridge:
On Interstates, speeding can have the following consequences:
· The probability of death, disfigurement, or debilitating injury grows with higher speed at impact. Such consequences double for every 10 MPH over 50 MPH.
· When a vehicle crashes it undergoes a rapid change in speed. However, the occupants keep moving at the vehicle’s previous speed until they are stopped, either by hitting an object or by being restrained by a safety belt or airbag.
· The effectiveness of restraint devices like airbags, safety belts, crumple zones, and side beams decline as impact speed increases.
· 37% of the speed-related crashes result in injuries.
· Speeding extends the distance required to stop a vehicle in emergency situations.
· Crash severity increases with the speed of the vehicle at impact.
· Speeding reduces a driver’s ability to navigate safely around curves or objects in the roadway.
“Motorists who speed put themselves and others at an increased risk of being involved in a crash and possibly being injured or killed,” stated Troop 2 Commander, Captain Jason Dickey. “Please remember, we can all do our part to reduce crashes and keep our loved ones safe by being aware of our speed and obeying speed limits at all times,” concluded Dickey.