ARE YOU COMING TO CHICAGO? Watch Out for those Red-Light Cameras - City and Suburbs!
HUNDREDS NEW RED-LIGHT CAMERAS COMING TO CITY, SUBURBS THIS YEAR!
A week or so ago, I went to a City of Chicago Traffic Facility to appeal a parking ticket. I got the ticket in front of my office in the Lincoln Square Neighborhood of Chicago.
I WAS VINDICATED!
It seems the over-eager meter-person thought my car was parked illegally, in a yellow zone. Problem is, the paint here was faded and not easily visible. And, there was no sign indicating no parking here - as is required by State of Illinois law.
Most of the people awaiting the arbitrative judge, however, were not appealing tickets for parking in illegal zones, or traffic meter violations. Most walked in with red-coded tickets in hand - for violating traffic lights at "red light camera" intersections.
Here in Chicago, traffic officials began installing these cameras in 2003. Today, there are 69 red-light cameras at intersections across the city. Another 40 new cameras are on the way in 2008. By law, they must be accompanied by warning signs - "Photo Enforced," at least 15 feet before the intersection.
The cameras take a series of still photos - one of the car approaching the intersection, another with a close-up of the license plate, one of the red light, and a final shot of the violator actually proceeding through the light, usually making what appears to be a legal right turn, while it is still red. Then, there is a "kicker" - accompanying video showing the whole process - including whether the driver came to a defined, complete stop before proceeding through the intersection.
This video portion of the system is the real money maker for the city! Chicago expects to earn $52.3 million in revenue from the red-light cams in 2008, up from $19.8 Million in 2006.
Face it - how many of us, on any given day, make a complete, defined stop at every intersection before turning legally on red? Now - be honest!
Well, here in Chicago, and in the suburbs, you're going to have to be more vigilant!
This year, at least 59 suburbs here are installing new cameras this year. Camera vendors often provide their systems to the municipalities for no up-front charge - these companies then get a percentage of tickets generated, plus monthly fees. Typical monthly fees exceed $4,000 per intersection - companies such as RedSpeed Illinois earns $27 for each successful red-light conviction.
The screening company reviews still photos and video gathered from each intersection, and sends only the video of those drivers they feel violated the red-light laws to local police. The police decide whether to ticket the owner of the violating car. Under law in Illinois, the car's OWNER is liable for a traffic violation - not necessarily the driver. (Responsibility is different in other states - recently, the Minnesota Supreme Court banned the cameras, saying only the DRIVER of the car, not the OWNER, holds liability - and the camera's cannot prove who was driving the car at the time of the alleged violation. Iowa is reviewing their own law right now).
The expansion of red-light cameras has fueled protest from drivers across the U.S. Internet companies now sell special spray to glare license plate numbers so they can't be legibly read when photographed. There is also an electronic device, similar to radar detectors, which alert motorists of upcoming red-light camera intersections.
Some experts feel the red-light camera system prevents accidents caused by running lights. Others acknowledge improvements to safety is possible - drivers unsure whether they are being captured on video may show additional caution at every intersection. But most agree one of the most visible benefits to the proliferation of the new red-light cameras is a new, very substantial revenue stream, to the cities, towns, villages, and counties that use the technology.
After sitting in a court room watching several red-light violators getting convicted and fined - $90 here in Chicago, more in some suburbs - it's easy to conclude the money generated is a big part of the picture.
Read John Keilman's article in today's Tribune for more information.
DEAN MOSS & DEAN'S TEAM CHICAGO
