Woodstock PD still has its radar speed trailer, and it still works. Today it was on northbound Clay Street near Clay Academy (formerly known as Clay Elementary School).When Clay was an elementary school, you could always find students on the sidewalks before and after school. The 20MPH school speed limit made sense then, for the safety of the children. The school zone by Clay is a 20MPH zone, but the speed limit is only in effect "when children are present" and then only between the hours of 7:00AM and 4:00PM on school days.
When children are not present, the speed limit on Clay Street is 30MPH, so the first thing that got my attention at mid-day when I approached the trailer was the 20MPH regulatory speed limit sign mounted on the trailer. The speed limit at the trailer, when no children are present, is 30MPH, yet most drivers slowed to 20MPH.
The 27MPH speed displayed on the trailer is for a car approaching the school zone but not yet in it. The car, which I could see behind me, had not yet reached the zone.
Legally, the 20MPH speed limit sign on the speed trailer had no effect. A speed limit sign posted without action and approval of the City Council is meaningless. It would have been better to have the added message about the school zone, but all that wording might topple the trailer.
The other problem was that the speed trailer was parked out of the street on the "parkway", the grass median between the street and the sidewalk. Usually the trailer is parked on the street, as it was recently in the 500 block of North Madison Street, and often it is protected by traffic cones.
The proper place for the speed trailer on the street. Vehicles have been ticketed for being parked on the parkway (except for the vehicle in the 900 block of Clay all day today), and no less should be required or expected of City-owned vehicles or equipment. I'm sure it was just a minor oversight and decision to place it out of the street, when there would be less chance of its being run over by a distracted driver. But it belongs in the street, just as does any vehicle.
If you would like the speed trailer to be located in your neighborhood, send an e-mail to speedtrailer@woodstockil.gov Provide the police department with the location and a brief description of the extent of the speeding problem or reason you'd like it there.
7 comments:
Gus, school zones are a notorious speed trap.. the statement "when children are present" is defined as anywhere in the area,, not just "seen" from the street.
the children can be inside a building, or plain out of sight, and you can still be ticketed.. ask a driving instructor, the police can issue a citation 24 hours per day on that one..
tinfm, thanks for your alert on this. I was surprised 3-4 years ago to be told that chldren playing in the school yard along W. Wonder Lake Road at Greenwood Elementary School, well away from the roadway, did trigger the 20MPH school zone speed limit.
Because the school yard was not fenced in, I could see that point-of-view. But when they aren't "present", as "in view" or near the roadway? It would be interesting to hear from local police officers and deputies what their training is about this.
It's totally unfair and creates a lot of business for traffic-court lawyers, I'm sure. Thanks again for increasing awareness about this.
Gus I found this on the state's website under 625 ILCS 5/11-605. Obviously tinfm doesn't research before writing.
"On a school day when school children are present and so close thereto that a potential hazard exists because of the close proximity of the motorized traffic, no person shall drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 20 miles per hour while passing a school zone or while traveling on a roadway on public school property or upon any public thoroughfare where children pass going to and from school. For the purpose of this Section a school day shall begin at seven ante meridian and shall conclude at four post meridian."
I recently requested the speed trailer to be put on my street, and it was put there the next day which I was pleased with. But what I was NOT pleased with it was taken down a few hours later by the CSO who I went and confronted while he was taking it down and asked why so soon!!? He stated it only stays up during the day and I am the only one who can take it up and down and it has to be down at the end of my shift!! (which I would think would end at 4 when the days shift ends for the cops)
That totally threw me for a loop!! I stated what is the point in having it up the traffic is not as bad during the day when people are working and in school what happens after those hours?!? That is the time when we need it most not from 11-230 during a week day. I also mentioned lack of police pressence when I request the speed trailer in my neighborhood and did that change...nope!! If a cop comes down my street we are in shock!! The joy of living by Lake/South St and Fremont where the cops tend to drive the most and ignore our street!!! It would be nice if they did something about the people who DONT know how to drive at the 5 way stop sign!!! I am sure they could get there share of tickets by actually patrolling that area!!
Frank, thanks. Any lawyer could have a heyday with that statute. While it should clarify, it's so vague as to be unenforceable; but that wouldn't prevent tickets. It might only prevent conviction, if the driver has enough money for a good lawyer.
Laura, thanks for your comment. You raise important issues about scheduling the speed trailer and making its availability based on a rigid employee schedule, not on the needs of a neighborhood.
May I suggest you address your concerns with Chief Lowen or bring them up at a monthly Coffee with the Chief?
What I find annoying is that they always put the damn thing close to a school or stop sign or in a residential neighborhood where it is really difficult to get up to top speed and get a good indication of my vehicles performance modifications.
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