Algonquin Adds Bite to Careless Driving Violation

Careless driving has long been on the books in Algonquin, but the ordinance is getting more bite with a substantial fee increase.

The village board will vote on the measure at its regular board meeting Tuesday, Feb. 5, at 7:30 p.m. in village hall, 2200 Harnish Drive, Algonquin.

Algonquin police suggested the amendment - which addresses the penalties - to the careless driving ordinance to make it more flexible in dealing with defendants, Police Chief Russell Laine said.

Laine’s department makes solid DUI cases, he said. In the rare cases where driving under the influence charges are reduced to careless driving the amendment will allow judges to use penalties like those for DUI, he said.

“We added provisions as part of the penalties,” Laine said. “The fee went up from $1,000 to $2,500. It provides an opportunity for the judge to order things such as traffic school or alcohol or substance abuse counseling or some type of treatment if needed.”

It will also help police when dealing with anyone stopped for suspicion of DUI but are not over the legal limit of .08, Laine said. “They will be able to have the careless driving ordinance to fallback on,” he said.