Here's an idea: Enforce traffic laws

Once again, the spendthrift politicians of Illinois are looking for more money. This time to shore up the highway fund. Here's a novel approach for them: enforce traffic laws and channel the funds to the highway fund.

There are so many scofflaws out there, it's not funny. At the very least, 1 out of every 5 drivers is using a hand held cellphone or texting. Another frequent violation is "yield to pedestrians in walkway." What a joke. And there's the ever-popular stop for a stop sign. Rolling at speed through a right turn on red is also high on the charts.

Honorable mentions go to violating a red turn arrow and turning left from the no-left-turn lane. The previous two are often combined. The politicians are so proud of the "tough laws" they pass, but are toothless when it comes to enforcement. Teams of officers should be formed to go to random locations. One officer could spot violators, the second pull them over and a third could write tickets. I'm sure they'd have a brisk business.

Part two is cracking down on judges who dismiss these violations regularly without thought. There should be a rating system for judges so voters have something to base their judicial election votes on.

Instead of robbing law abiding drivers with more taxes, the lawmakers should get it from drivers who violate the law. It just might also make the roads safer. What a concept!

Terry Tallian

Wood Dale