Story posted Friday, February 13, 2009
Ready For Red Light?
Aldermen May Approve Cameras At Intersections
By TOM ROBB Journal & Topics Reporter
Des Plaines aldermen will consider approving a contract with Lombard-based Red Speed Illinois to install automated red light enforcement cameras at their Tuesday, Feb. 17 meeting.
Requests for proposals were sent to seven companies of which four companies, Red Speed Illinois, Redflex, American Traffic Solutions and Laser Craft, responded with proposals.
Police Chief Jim Prandini said intersections where cameras will be installed would be determined in part by a study of the most accident-prone corners in the city. Though some of the most accident-prone intersections are at railroad crossings, Prandini said those intersections will not receive cameras because signal lights are preempted by approaching trains.
In a Thursday, Feb. 5 memo to Mayor Tony Arredia, Prandini warned, "It should be noted that once a contract has been signed with (Red Speed) there are financial penalties associated with a decision to eliminate the program."
Shortly before he wrote that memo, Prandini had a conversation with Schaumburg Director of Police Richard Casler who told him Mayor Al Larson is considering pulling out of the Red Speed contract for political reasons, according to Prandini's memo.
Schaumburg issued 9,000 camera-generated citations totaling $300,000, but also heard many complaints from motorists visiting Woodfield Mall who were issued tickets for not coming to a full stop before turning right on red.
The proposed contract's termination clause says a municipality canceling within the first year would pay Red Speed's labor and unsalvageable material costs for camera installations and their share of costs for upgrades at state road crossings.
Red Speed currently has contracts with 51 suburban communities including Rosemont and Elk Grove Village. Redflex operates automated red light cameras in the City of Chicago.
Tickets are treated administratively, similar to parking tickets.
The cameras use small magnetic sensors in the ground to trigger cameras in the intersection.
Red Speed first reviews suspected violations. Suspected violations are then sent to local police who make the final determination to issue a violation.
Area police who have seen Red Speed's system in action say the most common violation is drivers not coming to a full stop before making a right turn on red.
Speak Out!
Comments are edited first by Journal staff before running in print and appearing online.