Chicago Governor Pat Quinn recently signed into effect legislation that will allow the use of cameras to catch those speeding near schools and parks. The controversial S.B. 965 will go into effect as of July 1, 2012, after a 30-day public education campaign. According to reports, the new rule will allow cameras to be used within 1/8 of a mile of any park or school, which constitutes approximately 47% of the city of Chicago. When a speeding vehicle is captured, the vehicle’s registered owner will be sent a citation in the mail.
Although opponents of the speeding cameras allege that the city is using them primarily to generate millions of dollars of revenue, officials insist that their primary purpose is to protect pedestrians, and especially children. Studies have shown that if a pedestrian is hit by a vehicle traveling 30 mpg, they have an 80% chance of surviving. Yet, according to a Grid Chicago article, if the vehicle’s speed increases just 10 mph, to 40 mph, their survival rate drops to just 30%. According to the Chicago Tribune, more than 3,000 pedestrians are hit by vehicles each year, and last year 32 died.
If you or a loved one has been struck by a vehicle in Chicago, you may have grounds to bring a personal injury case against the party who was driving. However, liability in pedestrian accidents can be difficult to prove, and can hinge on many complicated factors. If you’re considering suing someone who hit you, contact a top Cook County personal injury lawyer who has experience handling pedestrian vehicle accidents.
(Image credit: Stoonn)