Category Archives: Chicago driving
IDOT Proposes Moving I-290 On/Off Ramps In Oak Park
From left to right.
That’s the shift the Illinois Department of Transportation is proposing for two on and off ramps on I-290 located at Harlem Ave. and Austin Ave. on Monday according to the Oak Leaves newspaper.
These two entrance/exit ramps are familiar to motorists who drive to or from the west as they come through Oak Park. These two exits are unique as the ramps are located in the center of the expressway as opposed on the right hand side like most on and off ramps.
The reason for the suggested ramp moves is safety according to the Chicago Tribune.
Chicago 6th Most Ticketed U.S. City
Group Believes Speed Cameras Will Make Ranking Jump
The Second City Is Actually the sixth city.
At least when it comes to speeding and traffic tickets, according to the National Motorists Association, a motorists rights organization.
In the NMA’s recently released bi-annual rankings of America’s top ticketed cities and states, Chicago comes in as the sixth most likeliest city to get a speeding or traffic ticket.
According to the study, Atlanta won the honor of being the nation’s top ticketed city, followed by Los Angeles, Dallas-Fort Worth, Miami and New York rounding out the top five.
From a state perspective, Illinois ranks a lowly 18th. Nevada, Georgia, Alabama, Florida and Maryland make up the top five states for ticket traps.
$2 Bump In License Plate Fee Fails In Springfield
Illinois state parks need money.
Some enterprising state lawmaker suggested adding $2 per year to the cost of vehicle owner’s annual registration fee (plate sticker fee) to generate an additional $22 million in revenue for state parks.
Luckily for Illinois drivers, there was not enough support in the Illinois Senate for the measure to be passed according to the Bloomington Pantagraph newspaper.
World Record Set For Parallel Parking
There’s a new world record for the closest parallel parking according to CarBuzz.com.
The 15 cm distance between bumpers was set in China a few days ago and bests the former 24 cm record that was also made in China last Summer.
While we couldn’t locate video of the new record being set, we did stumble upon an official Guinness Book of World Records video documenting the history of this feat. The driving in all instances is very, very impressive.
Somehow, it’s hard not think that type of driving ability would come in handy when trying to snag that primo parking spot before someone else does in one of the many congested parts of the city.
Lake Shore Drive Closes For Bike Event Sunday Morning
Planning an early morning drive along the lakefront on Sunday?
You may have to settle for taking a detour because Lake Shore Drive will be closed for Bike the Drive Sunday morning.
City Announces More Road Closures, Other NATO Traffic Updates
The footprint of road closures related to the NATO Summit continues to grow.
Saturday afternoon, Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management & Communication (OEMC) announced Columbus Drive would be closed from the Chicago River at Wacker Drive to Illinois Street “until further notice.”
The two block stretch is about a block east of Michigan Ave. and two blocks west of Lake Shore Drive.
A few hours later, OEMC announced temporary extension of the closure on Lake Shore Drive on Sunday.
The Driver’s Guide To Surving NATO
Map of NATO Summit roadway closures
Stay away.
Stay far, far away.
That’s The Expired Meter’s best advice for driving during the duration of the NATO Summit occurring over the next few days here in Chicago–just stay the hell away from the vicinity of McCormick Place Friday night through Monday afternoon.
While streets directly adjacent to McCormick Place have been closed since this past Sunday, the scope of road closures and parking restrictions will begin at midnight Friday night/Saturday morning and continue through Monday afternoon.
If you park on a street that’s slated to be closed for this event, expect that your car will be towed starting at midnight Friday.
Here’s the full list of road closures associated with the NATO Summit.
The Secret Service and Chicago’s Office of Emergency Management and Communications believe all affected streets roadways will be open for Monday evening’s rush hour.
Major Roadways Closed
Driver Seat Doggie Bill Voted Down In Springfield
Pet Safety Advocate Vows To Try Again
Call it doggie distracted driving.
That’s essentially what Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) called it when motorists allow their pets to ride in their laps while driving.
Sandoval sponsored an amendment to the Illinois Vehicle Code which would prohibit motorists from such behavior and fine them $25 if caught in the act. And while Illinois would have joined Hawaii in outlawing driving with Fido on your lap, the measure got voted down 21-27 last Thursday.
“I was disappointed, but not shocked as it moved very quickly so we didn’t have much time to rally support,” explained Chicago resident Melissa Ramirez who had lobbied Sandoval to sponsor the legislation.
It seems, according to AAA Motor Club, dogs make driving dangerous.
AAA claims 30,000 accidents a year can be attributed to unrestrained dogs in the car and strongly encourages pet owning drivers to utilize some sort of restraint when driving with their dog.
City Looking To Improve Parking At O’Hare With Technology
The City of Chicago is looking to improve parking at O’Hare Airport.
Not by increasing the 25,000 parking spaces it controls at lots and garages adjacent to the airport, but through technological improvements to allow drivers to use their cell phone to locate and pay for parking.
According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the city is seeking bids from companies that have technology which will allow drivers to locate open parking spaces within garages or lots and even pay for their parking using smart phone applications.
Drivers with pre-paid parking would not have to wait at long lines to pay for parking before exiting. The city believes they can eventually decrease the number of manned pay booths at each parking lot or garage location.
The story says 3.4 million cars park at O’Hare annually, or an average of 20,000 vehicles a day.
But the bid description also has a mildly sinister request for potential bidders.
Tuesday Is Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
Believe it or don’t.
May 1st is Crossing Guard Appreciation Day in the State of Illinois.
No. Seriously. No kidding.
Since 2005, Illinois has been recognizing the important work of getting kids to school safely each day by designating the first day of May annually to encourage people to show appreciation for their local crossing guards.
“They put their lives at stake every day for our kids and are some of the bravest, most crucial resources for making walking and biking to school safe,” says Ethan Spotts, a spokesperson for the Active Transportation Alliance, a local group that promotes biking, walking and alternative transportation choices.
