Smile! Your photo radar ticket is $375

Listen up drivers! If you're planning routes that include highways in Illinois, be especially alert through construction areas.

That's because a state program there has assembled a squadron of white photo speed enforcement vans that are loaded up with the latest in photo radar technology.

The vans are set up to record the speed of vehicles and "capture clear images of the driver and the license plate."

The result, state officials say, is like other photo radar programs that send citations for speeding by certified mail, requiring a court appearance and imposing a minimum first-time fine of $375. A second fine totals $1,000 plus a suspension of your drivers' license for 90 days.

"The vans are staffed by specially trained State Troopers," the state says. "They are used in work zones where workers are present."

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Gov. Rod Blagojevich said the program was launched to reduce fatalities from accidents in work zones.

"Thanks to strict enforcement by the state police and cooperation from the public, we have made steady progress to protect people in work zones," he said in a prepared statement. "Our goal is to protect the lives of both the many dedicated workers who are improving our roadways, as well as drivers and passengers traveling through work zones."

The governor said there were 23 fewer fatalities during the most recent period compared to the period before the program began..

"It is time for the public to focus once again on slowing down and driving with care in highway work zones," said Milton Sees, the state transportation secretary.

"Photo enforcement has given us an additional tool for enforcing work zone speed limits, and drivers across the state should expect aggressive enforcement – whether it is by photo speed enforcement, regular patrol cars, or the Motorcycle Enforcement Bureau," said patrol chief Larry Trent.

He warned fines and other penalties also are possible for drivers who fail to slow down or who change lanes when highway construction vehicles with flashing lights are present.

The state also says there will be new signs, "Hit a worker, $10,000 fine, 14 years in jail," and flaggers will be mechanical remote control devices.

Patrol troopers also will work out of uniform and drive highway department trucks, officials confirmed.

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