Results tagged “redlightcameras”

There's one thing many of Chicago's drivers will find positive from the latest city budget shortfalls -- the Chicago Department of Transportation has stopped installing the loathed red light cameras around the city for now because there's simply no cash to buy new ones. But that doesn't mean you can count on the main intersection near you to remain red light camera free -- the city is shuffling around their camera locations and will move 20 of the current 189 cameras elsewhere, as supposedly deemed necessary by which ones would "have the most positive effect on traffic safety."

Some folks have had enough of the red light cameras that have grown across the area lately. Several dozen people gathered last night in Lombard at the location of RedSpeed-Illinois, one of the state's biggest red light camera providers, to protest these red light cameras.

The accolades keep rolling in. Not only are we Forbes' most stressful American city, but now the National Motorists Association have named Chicago as the worst city to drive through on Labor Day weekend. We...don't have much to argue with there. Seems like there are other cities that probably give us a run for the money (L.A., Atlanta) but the NMA has two specific reasons they outline: shady red light cameras and the parking meter fiasco.

• The Sun-Times uncovered Blair Hull's bid to be appointed to President Obama's vacant senate seat.
• The Trib takes a look at Naperville's red light cameras.
• It wasn't just Chicago dealing with a cool July; for the entire state, it was the coolest July in 85 years.

Citing a lack of results, the city of Schaumburg is getting rid of the one red light camera they had installed. Curious to see how the cameras worked, the city installed one at a particularly busy intersection close to Woodfield Mall. What happened next led to the eventual decision to scrap plans for more.

Because red lights are apparently too complicated for Chicagoans to understand, Edward M. Burke (14th) wants to create a "Red Light Education Program" for red-light runners. In addition to the $100 fine, drivers would have to pay $25 to complete the program or pay an additional $50 fine instead. Burke compared the plan to programs for teen drivers that are required to complete educational programs, saying that the plan could help reduce the number of traffic deaths as it has for teen drivers. He added that 27 percent of the six million accidents that occur on U.S. roadways every year occur at intersections.

With the increase in the use of red light and speed cameras across the city and suburbs also comes an increase in devices to detect those cameras. Some GPS navigation systems have had the function for a while, and now Cobra Electronics is getting in on the act, introducing a radar detector that also alerts the driver when they're approaching a red light or speed camera. The device allows for its internal database to be updated on a regular basis as new cameras are added which should make for a never ending cat-and-mouse cycle.

South Side Ald. Anthony Beale (9th) recently introduced an ordinance that would mandate countdown signals - like the ones for pedestrian walk signals - at intersections where red-light cameras have been (or will be) installed.

Until recently, CTA drivers caught running red lights had to pay their own traffic citations. Thanks to a new policy, they are no longer financially liable for their violations. Instead, the Transit Authority will pick up the tab for their drivers' fines, which in turn can be paid with public funds. Good news if you drive a city bus, bad news for your average taxpayer. CTA spokeswoman Noelle Gaffney pseudo-explains that the new policy was implemented "due to objections from the union and the CTA's wish to streamline a cumbersome process to strengthen enforcement." Strengthened enforcement that no longer includes traffic tickets for running lights, apparently.

Photo by trippchicago
• Mayor Daley on Blago: "I’ve said, ‘cuckoo’ once. I’ll say it again: ‘Cuckoo.’"
• We remember skipping college classes to stay home to eat popcorn and watch the OJ Simpson verdict. We might have to play hooky again on Monday, when ABC7 will have live coverage of the start of Blago's impeachment trial.
• Chicago police officer William Cozzi has pleaded guilty to the 2005 beating of a 60-year-old man shackled and handcuffed to a wheelchair. So can somebody please fire this asshole now?

Photo by Señor Codo