Crosswalk slowdown ban and prison gangs for potholes?
The practice of slowing down for pedestrians at a crosswalk could come to a complete stop if state senators echo recent actions by the Illinois House.
The current law gives drivers the choice of stopping or slowing down to yield to a pedestrian in a crosswalk. Last month, the Illinois House approved eliminating "slowing down" as an option, after some debate.
But for advocates of walking and biking like Dan Persky of the Active Transportation Alliance (formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation), it's an easy call.
Traffic accidents have declined in states where similar reforms were enacted, Persky said. "Illinois had more than 6,000 crashes involving pedestrians in 2007, with more than 1,000 serious injuries and 172 fatalities," he added. "Drivers want to drive carefully but they need a clear law. Most crashes are caused by confusion."
Looking through past Daily Herald stories, multiple cases of crosswalk accidents pop up. One egregious example occurred in January 2007, when three students and a crossing guard were injured by a car that failed to yield at a crosswalk near Edison Middle School in Wheaton.
Senators are expected to decide the issue in a few weeks. Some expect a close vote as was the case in the House. The policy passed 60-54 with a number of local lawmakers voicing opposition.
State Rep. Patti Bellock, who voted no, fears the new policy will backfire on major roadways if drivers are forced to stop in busy traffic rather than slow down to accommodate pedestrians.
"Certainly, we want to do everything to make pedestrians safe," the Hinsdale Republican said. "But to stop rather than slow down on a major highway is somewhat unsafe."
Democrats Elaine Nekritz of Northbrook and Kathy Ryg of Vernon Hills voted yes.
"We're seeing an increase of pedestrian and bike accidents and deaths," Nekritz said, adding she hopes tightening the law will save lives.
Ryg believes there's an upswing in people out walking and biking, and as a result, "I do think the law needs to be clear," she said.
What will the Senate do? Stay tuned.
Vox populi
My e-mails are never boring. Here's recent sampling.
• Mark Hannan of Wheaton is fed up with the potholes on Butterfield Road west of I-355. His wife got a flat recently on that stretch, which he calls "a daily reminder of government inefficiency." Hanna adds: "It is quite by far, the worst road conditions I am aware of in the immediate area and it has been like this for quite some time. When I called 911, they said they were aware of it. Illinois Department of Transportation told me the same thing. Is it time to reconsider the old prisoner highway crews? Am I being too simple-minded to think that the highway workers could all eventually retire and be replaced by work-release prisoners?"
• Jack Saparito of the Alliance of Residents Concerning O'Hare pooh-poohs the newsworthiness of a story I wrote on Sen. Dick Durbin and Gov. Pat Quinn lobbying for federal funds to establish a 110 mph high-speed rail system between Chicago and Springfield. He argues that the 110 mph standard falls far below Japan's faster bullet trains and writes, "the push for high-speed rail is kind of a scam at this point; we had those speeds 70 years ago."
Incoming
• There's just a few weeks left for seniors who want to continue receiving free rides on Pace, Metra and the CTA to switch over to Senior Ride Free Smart Card Permits. Seniors who continue using senior reduced fare cards will be charged reduced fare rates effective April 2, the Regional Transportation Authority said. For more information, contact the RTA at (312) 913-3110. Or, to find where to apply for a permit, call 836-7000 from any area code. Depending on what location, seniors may have to provide a photo for their ID card.
• The Illinois tollway and Illinois State Police have scheduled a series of child safety seat programs to give tips on correct installation. The events will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on: April 4 - Schaumburg; May 9 - Naperville; June 6 - Niles; June 27 - Downers Grove; July 11 - Lombard; July 18 - Waukegan; July 23 - Des Plaines; Aug. 1 - Algonquin; Sept. 12 - Waukegan. For more information, go to illinoistollway.com.
• The RTA is holding a series of public meetings on Pace's handling of paratransit. Sessions are: 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, South Shore Cultural Center, 7059 S. Shore Drive, Chicago; 10:30 a.m. Friday, Mayor's Office for People with Disabilities, 2102 W. Ogden Ave., Chicago; 7 p.m. March 23, Howard Mohr Community Center, 7640 Jackson Blvd., Forest Park; 10:30 a.m. March 25 Copernicus Center, 5216 W. Lawrence Ave., Chicago.