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Even after paying more than two hundred dollars in fines, Rob Hawk believes red light cameras are a good idea. Some Legislators believe there is room for improvement. State Senators Tony Munoz and John Millner have been working on rewriting the controversial camera law. Here are some of the reported changes they want to make:
Require police to review every violation before issuing a ticket
Allow drivers to contest tickets by phone instead of in person
Require all municipalities to post warning signs at camera locations
And to require proper guidelines for yellow light timing.
Some cities across the country have reportedly shortened the yellow light time. Motorist Paul Cascioli has noticed. “Sometimes it’s not the same at every light so if it actually was then maybe it would be fair so if they declared that and made it all the same it would be a better thing.”
While some say the cameras reduce accidents, Schaumburg Freedom Coalition President Brian Costin says state statistics show quite the opposite. “Red light cameras do not make intersections safer.” Costin led the charge for the coalition to fight red light cameras in Schaumburg last year. There used to be one at the intersection of Woodfield and Meacham roads. Costin says, “Over 7,000 people got tickets within the first 38 days and people got angry.” So angry, Costin says people threatened to boycott shopping at the Woodfield mall. The camera was eventually taken down and plans for more cameras were canceled. Costin says, “It also helped that we found out at this intersection that there were no accidents caused by people running through red lights in the year prior to them installing the cameras in the first place so there was no safety problem in the first place, it was all about revenue.”
Senators Munoz and Millner reportedly listened to complaints and worked with interest groups and citizens in crafting their proposed changes to the law. We’ll hear what they have to say from Springfield on Tuesday.
Chicago debuted red light cameras in 2003. They were introduced to the Suburbs in 2006. The fine for running a red light is one hundred bucks.
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