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1. Can the Village post a lower speed limit on my street to slow down traffic?

Speeding is a problem that plagues many communities including Hanover Park. As such, the Police Department works closely with the community to educate drivers and enforce speed laws in many areas of town. The police use a variety of enforcement techniques that include use of the speed trailer and selective enforcement by the patrol division. The Village of Hanover Park has posted speed limits that range from 15 to 45 miles per hour. These speeds are based on Traffic Engineering Surveys that take into consideration the roadway conditions, accident records, and the speed of drivers. 

Drivers are required to know to drive at a safe speed; as defined by the Illinois Vehicle Code. In Hanover Park, the speed limit on all residential streets is 20 miles per hour. Questions should be directed to the Strategic Enforcement and Prevention Unit at 630-823-5481.

2. What are the criteria for putting in a stop or yield sign?

Learn about the requirements on our Stop / Yield Signs page. 

3. How does the Village decide where to put in a traffic signal?

The purpose of a traffic signal is to assign right-of-way to opposing movements of traffic at an intersection. As such, it may be necessary to install a traffic signal if the traffic volume increases and four-way stop signs do not lessen problems. However, improperly placed traffic signals can cause an increase in traffic accidents, particularly rear end collisions. Additionally, pedestrians can gain a false sense of security from crosswalks and red lights, which may result in an increase in pedestrian accidents. Before installing a traffic signal at an intersection, traffic engineers have to evaluate the following questions:

• Does the volume of vehicles entering an intersection create confusion or congestion?
• Is there so much traffic on main streets that it may be dangerous for traffic on side streets to cross? Are accidents the result of this condition?
• Is there an increasing demand for pedestrians to cross main streets?
• Does the number of school children crossing a busy street create confusion, congestion, or hazardous conditions?
• Will the installation of a signal reduce overall congestion?
• Does the accident history indicate that a signal will reduce the number of accidents at an intersection?

Traffic engineers use national standards to evaluate an intersection that may need a traffic signal. Properly placing traffic signals will decrease accidents and improve traffic flow. Questions should be directed to the Strategic Enforcement and Prevention Unit at 630-823-5481.

4. Won’t speed bumps slow traffic on our streets?

Speed bumps are not recognized by the State of Illinois as an official traffic control device, and as such the Village of Hanover Park does not use them on public streets. Additionally, they would hinder snow removal operations during the winter months. Questions should be directed to the Strategic Enforcement and Prevention Unit at 630-823-5481.

5. Can my neighborhood get a “Children at Play" sign posted?

Parents who are concerned about the safety of their children sometimes request that the Village install "Children at Play" signs, believing that these signs will provide added protection to their children near roadways. Posting "Children at Play" signs in residential areas does not reduce vehicle speeds or pedestrian accidents. Most importantly, the use of these signs creates a false sense of security in both parents and children.

Of particular concern is that "Children at Play" signs may suggest to children that it is acceptable to play in Village streets, which could lead to devastating results. And, in the case of a vehicle/pedestrian accident, the pedestrian always loses. It is important to teach children to respect moving vehicles and how to be a safe pedestrian. Most importantly, children should not play in or near roadways. Questions should be directed to the Strategic Enforcement and Prevention Unit at 630-823-5481.

6. Can we have a crosswalk at this intersection?

Crosswalks can either be "marked" with painted lines of white or yellow, or left "unmarked" at an intersection. The purpose of a "marked" crosswalk is to encourage pedestrians to use a particular crossing. Normally, crosswalks are "marked" at places where there is an abundance of pedestrian movement, at a signal, and where pedestrians cannot recognize a proper place to cross.

However, if "marked" crosswalks are not frequently used by pedestrians, then drivers tend to forget that they exist. As a result, accidents can occur when pedestrians rely on crosswalks to provide them with a safe barrier from traffic. It is important that pedestrians remain attentive and cautious of on-coming vehicles on a roadway before crossing a street, regardless of the presence, or lack of, a crosswalk. Questions should be directed to the Strategic Enforcement and Prevention Unit at 630-823-5481.

7. How does the police department address problems of speeding vehicles?

Upon receipt of a citizen concern about speeding vehicles, the police department first must determine if indeed there is a speeding problem. Determining if there is a problem is performed by the use of the speed trailer. The speed trailer is a radar unit housed within a trailer containing the posted speed limit and a display which shows the motorist the speed at which they are currently traveling. The speed trailer logs the speeds and calculates average speeds and vehicle counts. If data indicates that speeding is a problem, several methods of speed-reduction operations may be utilized.

Selective Enforcement is the distribution of police manpower to a target location. Police Officers are assigned to this location in patrol vehicles and will issue citations and/or warnings to drivers for speeding and other traffic violations. Officers must log time devoted and number of citations in each selective enforcement location. Unfortunately, there is no general solution to the problem of speeding traffic. Often times, the true problem stems mostly from drivers that live in the neighborhood. There will always be drivers that speed through residential a areas, and it is important for residents in a neighborhood to be aware of this issue. The best answer the Police Department may provide is that parents should always be conscientious of their children when playing near streets and intersections. Children should be educated on street safety and this should continually be reinforced. 

Questions should be directed to the Strategic Enforcement and Prevention Unit at 630-823-5481.