Automated Speed Enforcement Tickets to be Issued This Week in Three More Children's Safety Zones

January 6, 2014

Motorists Reminded Enforcement Begins Near Gage and Challenger Parks and Jones College Prep High School

The final warning and subsequent speeding tickets from Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) cameras will begin to be issued this week in the Children’s Safety Zones near Gage and Challenger Parks and Jones College Prep High School.

The cameras at 5529 and 5520 S. Western Ave. near Gage Park and 4429 and 4446 N. Broadway near Challenger Park begin enforcement today.

The cameras near at 630 and 629 S. State St. near Jones College Prep High School begin enforcement on Wednesday, January 8.

The City will start enforcement by only issuing tickets for speeders going 10 or more miles per hour over the posted speed limit.That ticket threshold will gradually be lowered going forward.

Fines for violations are $35 for vehicles traveling 6-10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit while in a safety zone, and $100 for vehicles traveling 11 or more miles over the posted speed limit.

The City plans to equip Children’s Safety Zones around parks and schools with ASE cameras in an effort to increase safety and reduce speeding. Any revenue generated by the program is to be invested in critical safety initiatives including after-school, anti-violence and jobs programs; crossing guards and police officers around schools; and infrastructure improvements, such as additional signs, crosswalk markings and other traffic safety improvements.

The Children’s Safety Zones are designated within 1/8th of a mile from Chicago parks or schools. The City ordinance establishing the program narrows the hours and locations of enforcement that are allowed under state law, and provides for the following:

• The enforcement hours will be limited from 7 am to 7 pm in safety zones around schools on school days (Monday through Friday); 7 am to 4 pm: 20 mph speed limit when children are present; 30 mph speed limit when no children are present 4 pm to 7 pm: 30 mph speed limit

• The enforcement hours around parks will be limited to only those hours parks are open (typically 6am to 11pm, 7 days a week) with a 30 mph speed limit.

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