In today’s society, everyone is busy, often juggling work, school, family, and social obligations. Being overcommitted can lead someone to drive from place to place in a hurry. However, speeding endangers everyone on the road and can lead to tickets for traffic violations. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2017, speeding killed 9,717 people, accounting for 26 percent of all traffic fatalities that year. Throughout the country, signs are posted along the roadway alerting drivers as to how fast they can drive. The speed limit has been set for a reason, and the only time drivers can exceed that limit is in emergency situations. Speed limits are put in place to protect the safety of everyone on the road. If they are not followed, a motorist can face serious penalties. 

Speed Limits Are Posted for Safety Reasons

All Illinois drivers are expected to know the speed limits for each type of road and obey the rules of the road while traveling. Speed limits vary depending on the location as shown below:

The number of cars that travel on roadways has been increasing for many years. Everyone has their own destination, and most people like to get there as quickly as possible. However, there should always be enough room between each car in case one driver needs to brake suddenly. Young drivers are taught the three-second rule in driver’s education classes. This rule states that there should be enough space between two cars in the same lane of the road that three seconds will pass before the following car reaches the position held by the car in front. Any motorist who follows closer than that is “tailgating” and thus committing a traffic violation.

Is Tailgating Considered Reckless Driving?

Reckless driving occurs when a person drives his or her vehicle with willful disregard for the safety of other drivers or pedestrians around him or her. One section of the Illinois law regarding reckless driving touches on the subject of following too closely. It says that a driver sharing the road must provide enough room for the cars around him or her to maneuver safely.

Young drivers--or those who have never been stopped by the police--can be overwhelmed the first time they go through a traffic stop. A lucky few may go their whole lives without being stopped, but when a traffic violation occurs, there is a risk of being pulled over. When an officer pulls you over in traffic stop, he or she is expected to clearly instruct you on how to proceed. The officer will ask for your driver’s license, registration, and proof of insurance. Depending on the reason for the stop, an officer may also ask you to exit the vehicle for a field sobriety test or for a search of the car. In Illinois, a police officer is within his or her rights to ask for your name and for an explanation as to why a violation was committed. However, while you are required to show your license and registration, you do not have to answer any questions or consent to your vehicle to be searched without a good reason.

What a Driver Should Do

If you see blue and red flashing lights in your rear-view mirror, pull over immediately, turn on your hazard lights, and put the car in park. Once stopped, the police officer will approach your car, identify him or herself, and ask to see the required identification. The officer can also ask certain questions, such as “Do you know how fast you were going?” However, you are protected by the Fifth Amendment and do not have to answer that query. The Fifth Amendment states that everyone has the right to not incriminate themselves by admitting to a crime, including a traffic violation.

Preteens and teenagers often act before thinking about the consequences. In recent years, young couples have gotten into the trend of “sexting,” the act of texting nude or semi-nude photos of themselves without realizing that in doing so, they are distributing child pornography.

This is a felony offense that is mostly associated with adult sex offenders. However, according to a study from the Illinois Bar Association, one in five juveniles have sent sexually provocative images or videos. As a result, the ones who are caught may face felony charges as well, and they may be required to register as a sex offender.

When people hear the term “domestic abuse” their thoughts immediately turn to physical injuries that are purposefully inflicted on someone by a partner or another member of the household. However, domestic violence can take a psychological form, and verbal or emotional abuse can turn to physical harm. Illinois law defines domestic violence as one member of a household choking, hitting, pinching, or causing injury to another member of the home purposefully. The action can happen out of rage or just to control the other person. It is important to understand what the law considers abuse and its consequences in the event you or someone you know is charged with domestic violence. 

Mental/Emotional Abuse

Psychological abuse may be seen as the early stages of behavior that can lead to physical violence. While these actions will not leave behind physical scars, the emotional toll they take can leave lasting wounds on a person’s mental health. Some of the following actions may be considered emotional abuse: