Traffic Offenses: Tickets for Failing to Slow Down

 Posted on September 14, 2015 in Traffic Offenses

A driver can receive a citation for a number of different traffic violations that involve failing to reduce their speed when a situation on the road warrants slowing down. A few commonly cited traffic offenses that require drivers to reduce their rate of speed include the failure to slow down or reduce speed for emergency vehicles, a failure to slow in a construction zone, and a failure to slow in order to avoid an accident.

Ticket for Failing to Slow Down for Emergency Vehicles

Scott’s Law, 625 ILCS 5/11-907, in memory of Chicago Fire Department Lieutenant Scott Gillen who was killed by a passing motorist while attending to a roadside emergency situation, requires that drivers reduce their speed and attempt to change lanes to give emergency vehicles the space they need to safely tend to emergencies. This includes giving emergency vehicles the right of way when they are driving on the road as well as when they are parked on the side of the road so that emergency responders can safely and effectively respond to an accident or emergency situation.

Failing to slow for an emergency vehicle can result in a fine of at least $100 for an offending driver. The driver could also face losing their driver’s license for a period of time, depending on whether someone was hurt or killed as a result of the driver’s failure to slow for the emergency vehicle.

Failure to Slow in a Construction Zone

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-908, a driver has an obligation to slow down and exercise caution when entering and driving through a construction or maintenance zone when workers are present. Drivers are required to yield to construction workers and authorized construction vehicles while in the construction zone. Construction workers perform much of their work dangerously close to the roadway, and one moment of inattentiveness by a driver could seriously hurt or kill a construction worker.

Drivers who receive a citation for failure to slow in a construction zone face a fine of at least $100 and could face losing their driver’s license for a period of time, depending on if someone was hurt or killed as a result of the driver’s failure to slow in the construction zone.

Failure to Slow to Avoid an Accident

Under 625 ILCS 5/11-601(a), a driver can be issued a citation for failing to reduce speed to avoid an accident. This statute requires a driver to decrease their speed as necessary to avoid colliding with a person or another vehicle and to exercise due care. Many drivers who are involved in rear-end collisions find themselves with a citation for a failure to slow to avoid an accident. Often drivers who are convicted of this type of traffic offense lose their driver’s license.

Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley

If you have received a citation for failing to slow down in a construction zone or to avoid an accident, you need to fight your ticket. Please contact a skilled Rolling Meadows criminal defense lawyer immediately. Call the Law Offices of Christopher M. Cosley at (847) 394-3200 for a consultation on your case.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-907

http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/documents/062500050K11-908.htm

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=062500050K11-601