Alderman Proposes More Signs Near Speeding Camera Zones After Being Caught Speeding

By Chuck Sudo in News on Mar 7, 2014 3:00PM

This sign on 29th Street alerts motorists turning south on to Halsted that they're entering a speeding camera zone at McGuane Park. (Photo credit: Chuck Sudo/Chicagoist)

A resolution with the support of 13 aldermen was introduced at this week’s City Council meeting that would require better and more signage around the speed camera zones established around parks and schools across Chicago. Ald. Leslie Hairston (5th) introduced the measure after she received two warning notices while passing through a zone where cameras were being tested.

Hairston, who voted against the speed camera plan, said she was unaware she was driving through a zone until she received the warning notices in the mail.

“It’s hard to know the difference between a school zone and speed zone signage. They’re almost identical. I’m having problems, just as any motorist would who is not given notice that they’re in violation of a law or that there is a law that applies,” Hairston said.

As you can see from the photo above, Hairston has a point. The signage around the city’s red light camera zones are clearly defined, stand out larger than your standard street sign and often have lights to alert motorists they’re entering a photo enforced zone. The signs around the speed camera zones do alert motorists of the photo enforcement times and have striping atop the speed limit alerting motorists they’re entering a photo enforced zone. But it’s easy to see how that signage can blend in with existing speed limit signs and how motorists can miss them.

Hairston’s resolution calls for “clear distinctive signs and/or striping that indicates that a motorist is approaching a school or park safety zone” and she wants to see the speed camera zones littered with them, arguing the Emanuel administration has an obligation to motorists to do this, since the program is expected to generate at least $70 million in revenue for the children’s programs in the mayor’s 2014 budget. Emanuel and supporters of the speed camera network have defended the program as a public safety issue while opponents have decried it as a naked cash grab for a money-starved city.

“If I’m driving in an unfamiliar neighborhood, then I’m entitled to notice to be able to comply with the law to be a safe driver in a school zone by reducing my speed,” Hairston said. “They need to explain how a motorist is supposed to know how many feet to the [speed] camera. All Chicagoans would love to know.”