Dupage Policy Journal

The Illinois Tollway is urging drivers to reduce their speed during the Fourth of July holiday weekend as part of its ongoing "If Only" speed awareness campaign. The initiative aims to prevent accidents and ensure the safety of road workers, emergency responders, and other motorists. The agency anticipates over 8 million vehicles will travel on its system from July 2 to July 6, with peak traffic expected on July 3.

"The Tollway is always focused on safety and during the extended Fourth of July holiday we’re reminding drivers that they need to do their part to keep our roads safe by slowing down and always followed posted limits, which gives them more time to react to unexpected situations and avoid crashes," said Illinois Tollway Executive Director Cassaundra Rouse. "Speeding is always dangerous and sometimes deadly, which is why we’ve launched our 'If Only' campaign to remind drivers of the tragic consequences speeding can have, not only for drivers but everyone else who is affected by speed-related crashes. We’re urging drivers traveling over the holiday weekend to slow down to ensure they safely reach their destinations."

The "If Only" campaign features videos highlighting the impact of speed-related crashes through testimonials from drivers, medical personnel, and emergency responders. The Tollway advises motorists to plan extra travel time, monitor their speed closely, and avoid speeding drivers.

Drivers can call *999 for assistance from Tollway maintenance crews available around the clock. The Highway Emergency Lane Patrol (H.E.L.P.), supported by GEICO, offers help from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Using handheld devices while driving in Illinois is a moving violation with fines starting at $75 for a first offense. Additionally, under the Move Over Law, drivers must slow down or change lanes when approaching any vehicle with flashing lights stopped on a roadway. Fines for violating this law start at $250.

To facilitate holiday travel, most construction lane closures will be suspended from noon on July 3 until 9 a.m. on July 7. However, some work may continue behind barriers depending on weather conditions.

The Illinois Tollway operates without state or federal funding across 294 miles in Northern Illinois counties.

Information from this article can be found here.