Route 53 workzone is tragedy in waiting

The Route 53 construction zone near Woodfield Mall is a tragedy in waiting. Two narrow lanes, and lots of workers, equipment and speeding drivers who ignore posted warnings are a recipe for disaster we won't do anything about until the inevitable happens.

A man was snarling in my rear view mirror on Friday. He was switching lanes on the narrow thoroughfare through the work zone and got stuck behind me while I drove the reduced speed limit in the right lane. Driver after driver came screaming up to my bumper. Signs and highway workers were ignored. There was no enforcement in sight.

Earlier in the week I noticed a state trooper who had pulled over a driver. The much-publicized Scott's Law was also ignored by speeding motorists who pressed their advantage with no room to spare, oblivious to the officer they were supposed to slow down for.

Weeks of road work on 53 drag on. I have yet to see a speed zone enforcement van. I can only remember seeing one of these vehicles a few years ago and also recall that drivers didn't pay any attention. They didn't slow down despite the harsh penalties of a work zone violation. Why? Because Illinois motorists learned long ago that construction zone speed limits don't matter.

The Illinois work zone law has been on the books for over a decade. Signs along our roadways threaten years in prison and monumental fines. When a worker is injured or killed we blame the driver and perhaps make an example out of their mistake. What we won't admit is that we taught motorists to drive dangerously and ignore laws we don't have the resources to enforce.

That's what happens when lawmakers pass legislation with no plan for how we're going to make it stick.

Bob Prokop

Wheeling