Buffalo Grove police target construction zones

Buffalo Grove police will be stepping up enforcement efforts in construction zones through next Monday as part of a national campaign conducted at the start of construction season to encourage safe driving through roadway construction sites.

Buffalo Grove officers will be dressing as construction workers, focusing their enforcement on speed and the new construction zone cell phone use violations.

Illinois law prohibits drivers from talking on cell phones in school zones and construction zones.

This prohibition has been the law in Illinois since Jan. 1 and is meant to protect drivers, and construction workers from catastrophic accidents.

"Reducing speed, paying attention, keeping a safe distance from other motorists and workers will help move everyone through the construction areas safely," said Sergeant Scott Kristiansen.

The minimum penalty for speeding in a work zone is $375, fines for using a cell phone can go up to $500.00, and the penalty for hitting a construction worker is a $10,000 fine and 14 years in jail.

The reconstruction of Brandywyn Lane, London Court, Dover Court, Coventry Lane and Coventry Court began last week. Nationally, more than 40,000 people are injured each year as a result of motor vehicle crashes in work zones.