Darien Asked To Pursue Speeders On Key Street

DARIEN, IL – With the start of a new school year, Darien resident Dave Kaduk continues to take videos of speeders on 67th Street and posts some of them to YouTube.

He gives particular attention to those violating the law for drivers near school buses.

In messages to city officials this month, he has called for extra patrols and traffic-calming measures. A Darien police official says the city will continue to monitor 67th.

In an email to the city, Kaduk said more students are walking on 67th from Clarendon Hills Road to Cass Avenue.

"All summer, we've seen some significant speeding issues to the point where it's getting dangerous to back out of our driveway or cut the grass on the parkway," Kaduk said.

For two days in a row, Kaduk said he witnessed drivers passing school buses with their stop signs extended and lights flashing.

"Four students are at this stop, and it is a block away from DeLay Elementary," he said. "I was able to record some of the incident, but unfortunately, I was unable to capture the license plate."

Last week, Deputy Police Chief Austin Jump responded in an email, saying the police department has collected electronic speed sign data and conducted regular patrols of 67th between Clarendon Hills Road and Cass Avenue.

Between March 10 and Aug. 19, more than 1.2 million vehicles traveled this stretch, with average speeds slightly above the posted 25 mph limit, typically 27 to 29 mph eastbound and 27 to 28 mph westbound, he said.

The heaviest traffic and highest speeds occurred between 2 p.m. and 6 p.m., overlapping with school dismissals, Jump said.

Directed patrols, he said, resulted in dozens of traffic stops and tickets, with the highest recorded speed 50 mph.

"Our enforcement efforts remain focused on reducing violators and ensuring safe passage during school-related times," Jump said. "We will continue directed patrols along 67th, with an emphasis on rush hour and school dismissal periods."