Why do we bother with speed limits?

We drove to Wisconsin recently via I-90 from Route 20 to the Illinois border. The construction zone speed limit is 45 mph with fines of $375 minimum. I set my cruise control for 47 mph. For the next 46 miles we endured the most life-threatening hour we have ever experienced, as wave after wave of vehicles passed us at speeds of 55 to 65-plus mph.

People were irritated with my unwillingness to disregard the posted limit. Some drove right up to within feet of the rear of our vehicle before changing lanes. We endured dirty looks and vehicles cutting back into our lane prematurely to allow those going even faster to pass.

I upped my speed to 53 mph, but we were passed by every vehicle before entering Wisconsin. Why are speed limits set and fines threatened if they are rarely enforced? This situation is the norm on most of the Illinois tollway system. If the Illinois State Police can’t fairly and consistently enforce the posted speed limits, then they should abdicate that responsibility and defer to the Uniform Manual On Traffic Control Devices and allow traffic to set its own speed limit at the 85th percentile of traffic flow, with fines assessed only for careless or reckless driving.

The current situation on Illinois tollways is dangerous, unpredictable and illogical. The Illinois Tollway Authority should not be allowed one additional cent in toll increases until this preposterous environment is permanently corrected.

Nick Chirikos

Algonquin