Illinois State Police Director Sam W. Nolen said, "Troopers will work special patrols in addition to regular patrols in construction work zones to identify motorists who do not reduce their speed while traveling through these areas. Officers will also use a variety of other enforcement tools to ensure the success of this safety initiative including radar, LIDAR, and air speed checks."
 

Nolen offered the following tips for motorists to use when driving through a construction work zone
 

Slow down and obey the posted work zone speed limit. Increase the following distance from the car ahead. Be prepared to make sudden stops. Be attentive to the movement of workers and equipment. Merge early if a traffic lane is closed ahead. Do not wait until the last minute to move over, signal, and change lanes. Do not talk on a mobile phone. All attention should be focused on driving safely through the work zone. When following a large truck into a construction zone, slow down. The truck is possibly delivering equipment or supplies and may leave the roadway unexpectedly. Do not attempt to pass in a construction zone. Slow down, but keep moving. Do not stop in construction zones unless directed to do so by a construction worker or police officer.
 

Nolen also reminded motorists that if they are caught speeding in a work zone, the minimum fine is $150, a mandatory court appearance, and no court supervision.
 

"If you are caught speeding in a work zone, you will be given a ticket. If you don’t give workers a break and obey the speed limit, troopers will not give you one," Nolen added. "We are not issuing warnings in work zones."
 

Funding for the special patrols is provided by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and administered by the Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety.