Longer Commute to Carbondale
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ The Illinois Department of Transportation has extended the 45 mph speed limit a mile and half north of Carbondale--all the way out to Dillinger Road--following a March accident that claimed the life of a 7-year-old boy.
The change will result in a slightly longer commute for anyone from the Du Quoin area headed for Carbondale to shop or work or for students who attend Southern Illinois University.
Scott Stokes, traffic operations engineer for the District 9 office at Carbondale, said signs were changed last week. The change follows an accident history study performed two months ago.
He said safety issues drove the decision and he believes that the inconvenience will pale by the improved safety in the area.
"I drove it the other day. And, it's a little bit different, but it's not bad," said Stokes. Development over the years along that stretch of highway and the number of commuters on cell phones who are not paying attention to drivers slowing and stopping drove the change.
A rear-end accident at the intersection of Rt.. 51 and Charles Road to the south of Dillinger Road resulted in the death of a 7-year-old Elkville boy last following a March 17th accident.
"We're hoping drivers will realize it's a safety issue," Stokes said. "We've got too many people on cell phones," he said, drivers who are completing their last calls before pulling into Carbondale to work, attend school or shop.
Stokes said local and area police agencies were notified of the change and agencies say they have started checking on whether motorists are adhering to the new speed limit.
"It's not a speed trap," said Stokes. Officers will give motorists a few days to get acclimated to the change.
"We did the study and had planned to change the speed limit sooner," said Stokes, "but the storm got in the way."
Violating the speed limit can cost commuters a $75 speeding ticket, plus the cost of any related issues--like seat belt violations--that officers find if you are stopped.