The Illinois legislature and Governor Quinn are closely scrutinizing current driving statutes, including, the red light  camera tickets and excessive speeder violations.

The proposed speeding measure would prevent a driver from getting court supervision if found guilty of going 40 mph or more faster than the speed limit. Supervision is a form of probation that allows a person to wipe a violation off of his driving record if he doesn't get another ticket for a specified number of months."There is nobody that needs to go 105 miles an hour to go anywhere," said John D'Amico, D-Chicago. "When you're driving that fast, you are truly putting other people's lives at risk, as well as your own."

The proposed red-light legislation, would ban the city and suburbs from tacking on a fee to the standard $100 fine if a ticket is appealed, a common practice that deters many motorists from fighting the charges.

It also would give drivers more wiggle room to creep up to the edge of an intersection before stopping. A complete stop still would be required before making a right turn on red, but drivers could come to a halt after the painted stop line without getting a ticket as long as pedestrians were not nearby. Drivers awaiting a green light to head straight into an intersection also could stop past the line without being nabbed by a camera.

Both of these measures are awaiting Governor Quinn's signature, but I have no doubt these will be signed as they were approved on overwhelming fashion.

It is good to see the state legislature take some action on the often scrutinized red light camera tickets. We will see if these measures actually make our roads and highways safer.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI , traffic violation  or traffic ticket , then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation  at 312-588-3384 or go to the firm website at www.BLGCHICAGO.com

        

I have written about the controversy of red light cameras in the past. There have been mixed reviews on their effectiveness. I have received one of these tickets and I have had numerous clients call me about taking care of these traffic violations. Unfortunately there is not a lot anyone or an attorney can do as they are a non-moving violation.  Although, one can request an administrative hearing to challenge the ticket. This is an uphill battle as they are facing videotaped and photographed evidence of the violation.

Now more controversy surrounds the red light cameras in Chicago. The Chicago Sun Times reports that a large portion of red light camera tickets issued to city employees have been dismissed.

Since January 2007, 2,685 red-light-camera tickets have been issued to vehicles registered to city departments. At $100 a pop, that should have generated $268,500. Instead, only $77,167 has been collected.

1,830 of those tickets were dismissed for reasons that include the municipal code exemption for emergency vehicles. Not all of those vehicles were responding to emergencies with lights flashing and sirens blaring. Some police vehicles were working undercover. Some were vehicles assigned to city departments not typically considered emergency departments.

I would like to see a better breakdown as to why some of these tickets are being dismissed. Click here to read the entire Sun Times article.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI or other Traffic Violation, then call Chicago Accident attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

        

The Chicago Sun Times recently released  car accident fatality statistics , which showed that from 1994 to 2008, one third  of all  Cook County car accident fatalities were related to drunk driving. The analysis was performed by Scripps Howard New Services.

As part of the project, Scripps Howard researchers counted the number of deaths on every road in America, using data provided by the U.S. Department of Transportation. Scripps analyzed 562,712 fatal accidents from 1994 to 2008 that claimed 627,433 lives.

While the carnage has fallen in recent years -- 37,261 individuals died in vehicular accidents in 2008 -- that's still more than 10 times the number who died in the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001.

Most of the traffic fatalities can be attributed to excessive speed, alcohol-impairment or failure to wear seat belts. Drivers distracted while texting, eating or using their cell phones are also a growing concern.

"People may feel more comfortable drinking and driving in rural areas, thinking that they are not as likely to get caught as on major roads," concluded Lee Munnich, director of the Center for Excellence in Rural Safety at the University of Minnesota.

If you or someone you know has been involved in a Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident or have been charged with a DUI or other traffic violation, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

        

Attorney Aaron J. Bryant is tweeting away on twitter at @aaronjbryant. Click here to follow along. Most of my tweets focus on legal news and my blogs.

As always, I am available for a free consultation if you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI, traffic violation or other crime. claim. Call today at 312-588-3384.

        

On February 4, The Illinois Department of Transportation announced  its new impaired driving campaign with the Illinois State Police. The program is titled Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving. The timing of this campaign is an attempt to prevent drunk driving during Super Bowl weekend, which is notorious for football fans being out and about at various parties and watering holes.

"Throughout Super Bowl weekend, the Illinois State Police will remain diligent in enforcing driving under the influence and the other fatal five violations, including speeding, safety belt use, improper lane usage and following too closely,” said Illinois State Police Director Jonathon Monken.  “Law enforcement recognizes the big game brings fans together to celebrate, and alcoholic beverages are often part of the celebration.  If you choose to drink, don’t drive.  Ask someone to be a designated driver prior to starting your celebration or call a taxi service to make sure you arrive home safely.”

The Illinois Department of Transportation’s Division of Traffic Safety suggests the following tips for those planning to consume alcohol while watching the Super Bowl:

• Designate a sober driver before the party begins;

• Call a taxi, use mass transit, or call a sober friend or family member to get you home safely; 

• Use your community’s designated driver program, if established;

• Report impaired drivers to law enforcement;
   
• Spend the night where the activity is being held and sleep it off;
   
• Always buckle up – it’s your best defense against an impaired driver.

Remember to be careful on the roads this weekend.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an Chicago car accident or Chicago truck accident or have been charged with a DUIor another traffic violation, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

        

A Lockport police officer, who allegedly made a deadly mistake by drinking and driving, is now facing a wrongful death lawsuit.

The family of a Chicago man, who was killed Dec. 20 when an allegedly intoxicated off-duty Lockport police officer crashed into his car, has filed a wrongful death lawsuit, seeking more than $20 million.

Man Wong, 29, 2417 S. Wentworth Ave., died in the crash on the Stevenson Expressway near Central Avenue in which police officer Edward Stapinski was charged with reckless homicide and aggravated drunken driving.

Stapinski, 34, of Lockport, was southbound on the Stevenson about 9:30 p.m., when he lost control of his car, struck the concrete median barrier and went over the median into the northbound lanes, where it struck a car driven by Wong, according to state police.

Named as defendants in the lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Cook County Circuit Court, are Stapinski, WestEnd Bar and Grill in Chicago, where Stapinski allegedly was drinking before the crash, and the Four Corners Tavern Group, which operates the bar.

The lawsuit claims that Stapinski was "severely impaired" after drinking alcohol at the tavern and that his blood-alcohol level was recorded at a hospital at about three times the legal limit.

Depending on Officer Stapinski's insurance policy, this may be a case where an underinsurance or uninsured claim is made.

If you or someone you know has been involved in an Illinois car accident or Illinois truck accident or have been charged with DUI, aggravated drunk driving or another traffic violation, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

        

Chicago Mayor Richard Daley recently announced to the press that he would consider offering parkers a chance to fight parking tickets once a year. The suggestion would only apply if the ticket is issued within five minutes after meter expires.

The mayor said his gesture is in line with a long-standing City Hall message to parking enforcement to not cite cars when the meter has just expired.

Daley's proposal was an olive branch to residents still fuming over the parking meter lease deal and the consequential spike in parking meter rates.

"I understand that many people were angry over the way the parking meter plan was implemented last year," Daley said, according to the Chicago Tribune.  "This grace period is another step by Chicago parking meters to improve the parking meter system and add convenience for motorists."

There is nothing more frustrating than receiving a $50 or $100 parking ticket minutes after your meter has expired. I will believe this offer when I actually see it.

Click here to read the story.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a traffic violation or DUI or has been involved in an Illinois car accident or an Illinois truck accident, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

        

Chicago has been plagued by several pedestrian related auto accidents the past few weeks. Chicago Breaking News reported recently that the family of Maria Worthon, who was struck and killed by a vehicle in her Rogers Park neighborhood last week, mourned at her funeral.

Maria Worthon, a nursing assistant, was remembered at a church across the street from where she was fatally struck by a car on Dec. 21 while walking with her son, Jerermiah, who also was hit.

The 6-year-old boy made it out of the hospital in time to attend his mother's funeral. An uncle picked him up to get a last glimpse of his mother before the casket was closed.

"I got better, because I (saw) her," the boy said at the service.

The driver in the hit-and-run was fleeing police at 70 to 80 mph and did not stop or slow down after striking Jeremiah and Worthon, who died at the scene in the 7000 block of North Greenview Avenue.

Ralph Eubanks, whom authorities said had traces of cocaine, ecstasy and marijuana in his blood, was ordered held without bail last week on charges of first-degree murder, aggravated DUI and leaving the scene of a fatal accident.

"This stinks," Rev. Deborah Patton said during Worthon's eulogy. "Maria's death in particular was thoughtless, unnecessary and irresponsible."

This is very sad news for Ms. Worthon's friends and family. I think we can foresee a wrongful death lawsuit against Ralph Eubanks. This is a dangerous time of year to be on the roads for both drivers and pedestrians. Remember to be careful. There are a lot of crazy drivers out there.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI or other traffic violation, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

        

The National Highway Safety and Traffic Safety Association (NHSTA) released the 2007 and 2008 data for alcohol related highway deaths. Unfortunately, Illinois ranked as the eighth deadliest state.

There was some encouraging news as 2008 compared to 2007, the overall fatality rate declined from 1.36 to 1.25 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel (VMT), and the alcohol-impaired driving fatality rate declined from 0.43 to 0.40 highway fatalities per 100 million VMT. From 2007 to 2008, the alcohol-impaired-driving fatality rate declined in 40 States, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico and remained the same or increased in the remaining 10 States.

Impaired-driving laws have been enacted in all 50 States and the District of Columbia that make it illegal for a driver or a motorcycle rider with a BAC of .08 or above to drive a vehicle. In 2008, the alcohol-impaired-driving fatality rate declined from 0.43 highway fatalities per 100 million VMT in 2007 to 0.40 in 2008.

Hopefully 2009 statistics will show a decline for Illinois and the stricter DUI laws led to safer for roads.

To read the complete news release and view all of the statistics, click here.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI or traffic violation, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.

        

USA Today recently reported Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood is launching a national crackdown on DUI and Drinking and Driving during the holiday season.

"Our feeling is in states where you have real tough law enforcement, where the law enforcement people are no-nonsense, those are the states that have been able to reduce their numbers," LaHood said. "In states where they don't have tough law enforcement, or they don't do it as aggressively as other states, the numbers are not that good."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the drunken-driving fatality rate in the USA declined about 7% from 2007 to 2008, continuing a decades-long drop. Drunken-driving deaths have been trending downward since 1982, two years after Mothers Against Drunk Driving began focusing attention on the issue. There were 11,773 such fatalities in 2008, a 44% drop from the 21,113 in 1982, according to NHTSA and U.S. Department of Transportation data

LaHood, White House drug czar Gil Kerlikowske and John Saunders of the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) launched the annual national winter holiday crackdown on impaired driving. Thousands of law enforcement agencies across the USA will be targeting drunken driving in the campaign, which runs through New Year's Day. Each state has its own version.

To read the complete story, click here. 

Drinking and driving deserves this type of press from the federal government. It is a great step towards making the roads safer during the holiday season. Remember to appoint a designated driver or to use cabs when you are out and about attending holiday parties.

If you or someone you know has been charged with a DUI, DWI or other traffic violation, then call attorney Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-588-3384.