Heavy traffic on Illinois roads is a common problem, as is aggressive driving or road rage. Almost everyone on major thoroughfares, especially those with higher speed limits, will exceed the posted speed limit at some point. Some people will consistently speed on every road and will maneuver aggressively around those traveling at lower speeds.
Speeding is against the law even though people act like it is not a crime. Police officers don’t just enforce speed limits because they can get money from tickets. Law enforcement officers understand the relationship between speeding and safety. It increases the possibility of a collision and the risk to pedestrians and local wildlife.
Most drivers who exceed the posted limit and get pulled over will have to pay a ticket. That ticket will cost them a bit of money when they pay the fine and a bit more when they must renew their insurance after the. For those accused of aggravated speeding, the penalties are more serious.
What is aggravated speeding in Illinois?
Anyone driving at a speed faster than the posted limit on a street violates state laws. Those who drive inappropriately given road conditions, like those who don’t slow down during major weather events, may also technically commit a speeding infraction by driving too fast given the circumstances. Anyone whose speed isn’t under the limit and reasonable may face, at the very least, a ticket of $120 and points added to their driving record.
Aggravated speeding, at its most basic definition, involves traveling at 35 miles per hour (mph) or more over the posted limit. Aggravated speeding is not a civil infraction that leads to a costly ticket. It is a misdemeanor criminal offense that can lead to up to 12 months in jail and $2,500 in fines. You may have to go to court and will have a criminal record, not just more points on your license.
Speeding issues aren’t always black and white matters
Even if you might pay a traffic ticket despite the consequences of doing so, you may feel more strongly about defending yourself when you will have a misdemeanor on your record if you plead guilty. Although people often feel like traffic offenses are hard to fight, there may be a viable strategy available if you evaluate the evidence against you carefully.
Making sense of Illinois’s traffic laws will help you prepare to protect your clean criminal record after accusations of aggravated speeding.