THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 2008
Fines In Place For Blowing Red At River, Higgins
By TOM ROBB
JOURNAL & TOPICS REPORTER
Automated red light enforcement cameras at River and Higgins roads on the Des Plaines-Rosemont border will begin issuing $100 tickets tomorrow (Thursday, Aug. 21) following a 21-day period that saw 1,675 written warnings issued between Aug. 1-18.
Rosemont Police spokesman Sgt. Keith Kania said the majority of recent violations occurred when motorists turned right on red without stopping.
"These people weren't even slowing down, they were just driving right through," said Kania.
Kania also said the area has larger signs than those first erected at the village's first intersection at Balmoral Avenue and River Road. Those signs were smaller and contained only text. The new signs are twice the size of the old signs and contain a graphic of a stoplight. Kania said the intersection also has orange flags in place to attract drivers' attention to the signs.
Kania said residents and local property managers were also notified by mail that the new camera enforcement was going into effect. He said that in addition to the camera enforcement signs, there are clear signs that say no right turn when pedestrians are present. He said drivers have ignored pedestrians at the intersection as well.
Kania explained that the increased number of violations at River and Higgins roads is attributable to its higher volume of traffic.
Kania said the village's two other photo-enforced intersections issued 176 tickets combined between Friday, Aug. 1 and Monday, Aug. 18.
The cameras use sensors in the ground combined with overhead cameras to take a short video clip of the intersection when an offence occurs. The owner of the vehicle is then sent a $100 ticket. Rosemont holds regular administrative hearings for those that want to challenge the tickets.
The video clips are first reviewed by Red Speed Illinois staff, who operate and maintain the system, and then by Rosemont Police who issue the tickets.