Chicago Car Accident Attorneys Comment on New Illinois Transportation Safety Laws for 2015
Oak Park, IL (PRWEB) January 09, 2015 -- Commenting on a Northwest Herald article about changes to a number of Illinois laws in 2015, Chicago car accident attorney Gregory F. Coplan today said all drivers should be aware of the changes and how these laws might affect highway safety.
Coplan, a principal in the law firm Coplan & Crane, based his comments on a December 31 article published in the Northwest Herald, “2015 brings new Illinois laws covering speed limits, medical marijuana, boating and more.” The article explains new laws that affect speed limits on roads and highways surrounding Chicago as well as parental liability when teens are caught drinking inside a motor vehicle.
“As of Jan. 1, 2015, the speed limit on a number of highways in the Chicago area has been raised to 70 mph,” Coplan said. “While this change may not lead to more car wrecks, studies show that accidents that occur at higher speeds are often more severe than crashes at lower speeds due to the greater forces involved. You may see a fatal accident at 70 mph. A similar crash at a lower speed might result in injuries, but no deaths. That’s why it’s critical for all drivers to observe the speed limit or drive below the limit if the weather or road conditions are bad. No matter what the speed limit is, drivers need to focus on the road ahead and avoid distractions. While you can now legally drive 70 on some interstates, you’ll need to continue to remain alert and defensive.”
According to the Northwest Herald article, lawmakers approved a speed limit increase on Chicago-area interstates similar to 2014’s law affecting downstate interstate highways.
In addition, the article states that Illinois’ law making it illegal for parents to allow underage drinking at home has been expanded to include property owned by parents outside of the home, such as motor vehicles, motor homes and boats.
Benjamin A. Crane, who co-founded Coplan & Crane with attorney Coplan, stressed the importance of extending this liability to parents in preventing drunk driving accidents caused by teenage drivers.
“The law makes parents more accountable for their children’s behavior outside the home,” Crane said. “Underage drinking is a serious problem in the Chicago area and is a contributing factor in car accidents. We hope this measure will lead to a reduction in serious injuries and fatalities on our roads and highways.”
About Coplan & Crane
Serving clients in Oak Park, Chicago and all of Illinois, Coplan & Crane handles a wide range of cases, including car accidents, truck accidents, bus accidents, railroad accidents, workplace injuries, dangerous products, medical malpractice and birth injuries. The law firm has a strong track record for obtaining large verdicts and settlements, including several, high-profile, multi-million-dollar settlements and verdicts. A free consultation is available to all interested clients. The law firm works on a contingency fee basis. That means people only pay if they win.
Coplan & Crane
1111 Westgate Street
Oak Park, IL 60301
(708) 358-8080
http://www.coplancrane.com
Jacob M Del Hagen, Big Voodoo Interactive, http://www.bigvoodoo.com, +1 (413) 650-0593, [email protected]
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