Caught Red Handed
The city wins twice with red light cameras that rake in cash and catch cars at the blink of an eye
By: Matthew Kordonowy
There is no denying that red light cameras have benefited the city of Chicago since the implementation in 2003. What is debatable is whether the payoff benefits the public with safer intersections or simply the government with multi million-dollar annual revenue.
Proponents say that the automatic cameras persecute without prejudice, making fair by convicting only those that violate traffic law. Those opposing the omnipresent eye-in-the-sky critique the system as profit for the government, and one that assumes guilt before the accused has a chance for defense. The controversy is already strong in Chicago with 65 systems throughout the city, and in the next few months, 59 suburbs are expected to install the cameras.
The cameras operate on a system that links the stoplight to a sensor beneath the pavement. Once the light turns red, the system is activated. If a car is traveling above a set speed, cameras take video and still photos of the vehicle and license plate. After an initial inspection, the photos are sent to the Dept. of Revenue for a second examination. Revenue issues and mails the $100 citation with the photo evidence within a few days to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Studies have shown that in the three weeks after Chicago set up its first system at 55th and Western, 1,114 cars were photographed running a red light. The Federal Highway Administration states that in 2003, nearly 1,000 people were killed and 176,000 were injured from crashes involving a red light violation. The FHA also cites that “T-Bone” crashes, a 90-degree collision, is down by 25%, though they admit that rear-end collisions are up 15%.
Supporters of the system argue that because the camera is automatic, it is the most effective and efficient way to catch violators: it doesn't depend on an officer to be at the right place at the right time and cannot discriminate against the driver or automobile.
Despite the positive effect it has had on traffic safety, there is still a strong opposition of the system's practice and procedure.
One such criticism is that the red light cameras are in operation primarily as an economic enterprise. The Chicago Tribune states that the city expects to make $52.3 million this year alone from the devices. This is triple the amount made in 2006 and can only be expected to rise in the coming years. In addition to the 59 suburbs, the city of Chicago plans on installing systems to an added 220 intersections by 2012.
Another argument against the camera system is that it unjustly penalizes the vehicle owner instead of the driver. The owners are expected to pay regardless of who was at the wheel during the violation. The guilty-until-innocent punishment seems backwards, and according to the Minnesota Supreme Court, unconstitutional. Last year the court barred the cameras from the state, stating that drivers cause moving violations and should pay the price instead of the owners.
An Illinois court decision would likely be the only chance to putting a red light on the system itself. With so much cash flowing into the city, and statistical evidence signaling accident reduction, the protests are likely to be drowned out.
