The Park Ridge Police Department is committed to traffic safety! We work hard to make sure our roadways are safe. In an effort to reduce crashes and injuries, we make enforcement of speed, seatbelt and impaired driving violations a priority.
The Traffic
Section consists of four officers who are dedicated to traffic safety and
enforcement. These officers utilize various resources, including an
unmarked squad car and police motorcycle, to perform their enforcement
activities.
In addition to normal traffic and DUI enforcement, selective enforcement of specific traffic problem areas is one of the primary duties of the Traffic Section. Citizen reports of potential problem areas, such as speeding and stop sign violations, are followed up with officer contact and a survey of the location. If the survey reveals that selective enforcement is necessary, the Traffic Section works with the Patrol Division officers to enforce violations in these areas. The Patrol Division then enforces in the area in addition to the traffic officers. Not all surveys result in selective enforcement, however. It is important to have residents alert the Traffic Section to locations that may deserve special attention.
School officials have also been helpful in notifying the Traffic Section when drivers are passing stopped school buses and other traffic related matters near schools. Additionally, the Public Works Department advises the Traffic Section if major streets are going to be closed for extended periods so that appropriate detours may be established.
Overweight truck enforcement is another primary duty of the Traffic Section. The Illinois Vehicle Code governs the amount of weight large trucks can carry over various roadways. Violations of these laws can cause severe damage to our roads. One overweight truck can cause as much damage as nine hundred cars traveling the same route. The Public Works Service Center has a vehicle scale that is used to weigh trucks that are suspected of being overweight.
Also, the Traffic Section conducts Child Restraint System inspections by appointment. Statistics show that a high percentage of safety seats are installed incorrectly. The seats, the instructions, and the many different makes and models of vehicles contribute to a complicated installation that leads to mistakes. Having your child safety seat inspected can take only twenty minutes, but a corrected mistake is invaluable in the event of a crash.
The Traffic Section speaks at local driving schools and other community meetings and events. Officers appear at safety fairs and similar events to allow kids to see police cars and the motorcycle up close while they learn about traffic safety.
Periodically, roadside safety checks are conducted with the assistance of the Illinois State Police. Drivers and vehicles are checked for equipment, license and insurance violations as well as seat belt compliance and DUI.
The City of Park Ridge Traffic Safety Committee meets every two months, or as needed, to review citywide traffic safety issues. The city engineer works with the Fire Department and the Traffic Section representatives on these issues. Since the police department enforces the laws but does not actually control where stop signs are placed or what the speed limits are, it is important to communicate with the engineers about issues such as stop sign placement and setting speed limits.
For additional information please call the Traffic Section at 847-318-5220.
Drive Safely.
WE
CARE ABOUT YOUR SAFETY!
In recent years, Park
Ridge has seen its share of unfortunate incidents related to the same tracks
that provide many people a safe and efficient passage to work everyday.
Unfortunately lives have been lost, and injuries have occurred due to improper
crossing, or illegal crossing by pedestrians at unsanctioned crossings.
Throughout recent years the Park Ridge Police have made numerous efforts to
promote rail safety awareness, and have distributed awareness information and
warnings to pedestrians and motorists. During the upcoming months, the Park
Ridge Police will be increasing its efforts to promote rail safety and will be
vigorously enforcing laws pertaining to crossings for both pedestrians and motor
vehicles. The Park Ridge Police Department in cooperation with Operation
Lifesaver, received part of a nationwide grant for an increase in enforcement
and awareness. Officers assigned to rail grade crossings will work with
commuters to improve the overall safety at the various crossings through the
City of Park Ridge. If you would like more information on laws regarding rail
crossings, or would like an office or group presentation please contact Park
Ridge Police Community Relations at 847-318-5233. Information about rail
crossing safety may be obtained at the Operation Lifesaver website: www.oli.org/.
PEDESTRIAN DUTIES
11-1011 (b) No
Pedestrian shall pass through, around, over or under any crossing gate or
barrier at a railroad grade crossing or bridge while such gate or barrier is
closed or is being opened or closed. Mandatory $250.00 fine or 25 hours of
community service for a first violation, and a $500.00 fine for a second or
subsequent violation.
OBEDIENCE TO SIGNAL INDICATING APPROACH OF TRAIN
11-1201 (b) No person shall drive any vehicle through, around or under any crossing gate or barrier at a railroad crossing while such gate or barrier is closed or is being opened or closed. Mandatory $250.00 fine for a first violation, and a $500.00 fine for all subsequent violations.
PRESS RELEASE,
By the authority of
Jeffrey S. Caudill, Chief of Police
Traffic safety continues to be one of the Park Ridge Police Department’s top priorities. Our commitment to traffic safety led the department to apply for a grant offered by the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The “Click it or Ticket” program provides funding for selective enforcement activity and roadside safety checkpoints primarily targeting seat belt and child restraint violations. The Park Ridge Police Department was awarded the grant, and additional officers will be assigned each day for the purpose of enforcing violations of the Illinois Primary Seatbelt law and the Illinois Child Passenger Protection Act.
In June, 2006 the seat
belt compliance rate in Illinois rose to an all time high of 87.8%. This was a
direct result of Illinois lawmakers passing a primary seatbelt law in 2003,
major media coverage, and substantial enforcement efforts. The goal of
IDOT in 2007 is a seat belt compliance rate of over 90%.
This important program is another example of how the Park Ridge Police Department strives to make the roadways in our community safer. However, we cannot do this alone and need the help of all motorists to “buckle up” and drive safely.
Visit www.buckleupillinois.org for more information.
In 2005 The Park Ridge Police Department has initiated the following traffic safety programs in an effort to make our roadways safer to travel:
ROAD (Reduction of Aggressive Driving) Campaign
The goal of the program is to utilize an unmarked squad to more effectively and efficiently manage aggressive driving on our roadways. Officers in an unmarked squad will target violations that typically lead to aggressive driving complaints coming in to our 911 center. Examples include following too closely and failure to signal. Two of our four traffic officers will take part in this campaign. One officer is assigned to day shift and one officer is assigned to the evening shift. Finally, the department plans on continuing the information campaign through press releases and memos sent to the court to advise them of our efforts.
means
STOP!
According to recent studies conducted by our Engineering department, only 23% of drivers in Park Ridge come to a complete stop at intersections controlled by stop signs. The Police Department, in conjunction with Public Works, will initiate the Stop Means Stop program. The program consists of a vigorous media campaign accompanied by affixing additional signs that read “Means Stop” to stop signs at targeted intersections. Officers will concentrate enforcement efforts at these locations. The signs would also be useful in addressing resident’s complaints about stop sign violations. Upon receipt of the complaint, traffic section personnel would request these signs to be temporarily affixed at that intersection.
Top 10 Crash Intersections
The final program the Traffic Section initiated in conjunction with Engineering is a concentration of traffic enforcement efforts aimed at high accident rate intersections. Data compiled by Engineering determined the top ten accident rate intersections for the previous year. For the year 2007 the following intersections were rated the highest:
Dee and Talcott
Summit and Touhy
Dee and Devon
Dee and
Touhy
Cumberland
and Higgins 
Northwest Hwy and Oakton
Oakton and Riverside
Touhy and Greenwood
Dee and Oakton
Greenwood and Oakton
Officers more frequently focus selective enforcement efforts on those areas in an effort to reduce the frequency of crashes. The Park Ridge Police Department is committed to traffic safety and we encourage all motorists to buckle up and drive safely.
Safety Seat Inspections
Anyone wishing to have their infant car seat checked should contact us at
847-318-5252 to set up an appointment. We can show you the safest way to protect your child in the event
of a car crash.
Or, you can visit the fire station at 901 W Devon every other Saturday from 8am to 10am. Call (847) 318-5284 for more information from the fire department.
And remember, the NHTSA recommends all children use a booster seat through age 8 or 4'9" in height!
IMPORTANT TRAFFIC LAWS
A new state law became effective January 1, 2004 in Illinois. The Child Passenger Protection Act now requires anyone who transports children in non-commercial vehicles to do so in the following manner:
Children under the age of 8 must be secured in an appropriate child restraint system. These include:
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Infant seats (rear facing, usually with built in carry handles, safe until the child exceeds the maximum weight listed on the seat - usually 20 pounds). |
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Convertible seats (which start out rear facing for infants and then convert to forward facing for toddlers when they reach the seat's listed weight - at least 20 pounds - AND the child is at least one year old). It is recommended that the child stay in the rear facing position as long as they meet the seat's criteria. |
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Booster seats, used with a vehicle's shoulder belt system, when a child outgrows the forward facing convertible seat. |
The state law prior to 2004 was less effective, in that it applied only to children under the age of 4. The National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration recommends the use of a booster seat for children until age 8 or a height of 4'9" or they have outgrown the weight limitations of the seat. The Illinois legislation brings the law closer to the NHTSA recommendation.
Please remember that a shoulder belt must be across a child's chest. It should not be across the face or upper neck and should never be placed behind a child. The booster seat simply "boosts" the child up to allow a vehicle's shoulder belt to work as designed.
Children weighing more than 40 pounds may be transported in the back seat of a motor vehicle while wearing only a lap belt if the back seat IS NOT equipped with a shoulder system.
Also, children between the ages of 8 and 16 must be secured in a properly adjusted safety belt in any seat in a vehicle. According to the Graduated Driver Licensing System, if a driver is under the age of 18, the restraint requirements extend to all passengers under the age of 18, rather than 16. Also, for the first six months of a Graduated Driver's License or until the driver reaches the age of 18, whichever occurs sooner, the person may not drive with more than one person in the vehicle who is under the age of 20 unless they are siblings, children, step-siblings or step-children of the driver.
Please ensure your safety and the safety of your loved ones and "buckle up". It does save lives and reduces the likelihood of injuries.
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To clarify the Illinois Vehicle Code, when a bus has its stop arm extended and its signal lights flashing, all drivers in either direction must stop. The exceptions to the rule are if the highway has four or more lanes (opposite direction traffic need not stop) or when on a controlled access highway (on/off ramps, center medians or barricades) where the bus is stopped in a loading zone. A citation for this violation requires a mandatory court appearance. Most tickets for speeding, stop sign violations, etc., do not require a court appearance. Upon conviction in court, the mandatory fine is $150.00 and the Secretary of State is required to suspend the violator's driver's license for three months. |
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As a reminder, drivers must turn on their headlights whenever their windshield wipers are on. |
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Safety belts must be worn at all times. A new traffic law allows police officers to make traffic stops for that violation alone. |
Additional Laws to Remember
DO NOT:
| drive on a sidewalk except when it is part of a driveway |
| back up on any shoulder or roadway of any controlled access highway. Backing is prohibited unless it is done safely and does not interfere with other vehicles. |
| open doors on the side of a vehicle on which traffic is moving unless it can be done safely. The door may remain open only long enough to load and unload passengers. |
| wear a headset while driving. Headsets are defined as any device, other than a hearing aid, that allows the wearer to hear or receive electronic communications. Motorcycle, motor-driven cycle and moped operators may use intercom helmets that permit drivers and/or passengers to speak to one another. |
| drive onto a railroad crossing, enter an intersection or drive within a marked crosswalk unless there is enough space to allow passage of other vehicles, pedestrians or railroad trains. |
| tow one vehicle with another except by a drawbar. In most cases, the distance between the two cars should not exceed 15 feet. A towed vehicle also should be coupled to the towing vehicle with 2 chains or cables. |
| remove a wrecked or damaged vehicle from the roadway without removing all glass and other debris. |
| overload a vehicle with passengers or freight so the driver's view is obstructed. No more than three persons should ride in the front seat of a vehicle. |
| ride in a house trailer while it is being moved on a street or highway. |
| operate or permit to be operated any sound system (radio, tape player or disc player) at a volume that can be heard 75 feet or more from a vehicle being driven. |
Reminder on Motorized Scooters
The City of Park Ridge has an ordinance (Sec. 13-2-12 Operation Without a License), which states that “A person who does not have a valid driver’s license may not operate any motorized vehicle of any kind or nature, including motor driven scooters, on any public property within the City of Park Ridge. Public property shall include, but not be limited to, roadways, alleys, parkways, sidewalks and streets (including private streets)….”
Only licensed drivers are allowed to ride motorized scooters in town. Any person found guilty of violating this ordinance may be fined between $100 and $500. The Park Ridge Police Department also strongly recommends using helmets and other protective gear when utilizing motorized scooters.
