What is the Speed Limit in Illinois if Not Posted?

 Posted on February 21, 2022 in Criminal Defense

The consequences for speeding can range from a pesky speeding ticket all the way to an arrest. Most drivers understand and respect the need for speed limits–to keep Illinois citizens safe. But how can drivers abide by the legal speed limit if there are no street signs posted? Although some roads post individual speed limits, there are overarching laws that all Illinois drivers should be aware of in case there are no posted limits.

Location Limits

It is the responsibility of drivers to follow driving laws, including the speed limit. When there are no street signs that can indicate how fast you are allowed to drive, the first step is to determine what type of road you are on. 

• Interstate Highway — Illinois interstate highways have a maximum speed limit of 70 miles per hour. You can identify if you are on an interstate highway if the road goes across state lines to connect cities. 

• Rural Interstate Highway — A rural interstate highway is an interstate located outside of an urban area with a population of 50,000 or more people. These highways have a speed limit of 65 miles per hour. 

• Interstate Highway near a Major City — Similar to a rural interstate, an interstate near a major city, such as Chicago, has a speed limit of 55 miles per hour. 

• Non-interstate Highway — Any non-interstate highway has a speed limit of 55 miles per hour.

• Urban Area — Roads that go through urban areas including neighborhoods and suburbs have a speed limit of 30 miles per hour if there is no street sign posted with an alternate speed. 

I Received a Speeding Ticket But was Unaware of the Speed Limit 

There are many ways that the Illinois police enforce speeding laws within the state, and for safety purposes, these laws are taken very seriously. Many officers will use hand-held speeding devices on highways and roads. They can also use moving radar, laser speed measurement or photo speed enforcement to determine how fast a vehicle is moving. 

Speeding tickets that are 26 miles per hour or more over the speed limit is a Class B misdemeanor in Illinois and are typically faced with a fine and considered aggravated speeding. If the driver was going 35 miles per hour or more over the speed limit, this is considered a Class A misdemeanor. Both of these offenses can lead to an arrest. 

If you received a speeding ticket for going over the speed limit, it is in your best interest to hire a defense attorney to contest the charge. Getting speeding tickets or other traffic offenses can lead to points on your driver’s license that may negatively affect your ability to drive. It may even increase your car insurance payments. 

Speak to a Kane County Defense Attorney 

Here at The Law Office of Brian J. Mirandola, our Kane County defense attorney Brian J. Mirandola is experienced in contesting various different traffic violations from speeding tickets to texting and driving charges. We understand that traffic and speeding violations can quickly affect your life. We are available to meet with you for a free initial consultation to discuss your situation. Call us today at 847-488-0889 to schedule an appointment today. 

Source(s):

https://www.isp.illinois.gov/TrafficSafety/SpeedLimitEnforcement