Story posted Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Red Light Cam OKd
By CRAIG ADAMS Journal & Topics Reporter
The Ill. Dept. of Transportation approved the installation of a red light camera at the intersection of Northwest Highway and Oakton Street in Park Ridge.
With that approval, the city plans to set a date for work within the next week. When the cameras are up, there will be a grace period when violators are mailed warnings instead of tickets.
Aldermen on Monday, Nov. 9 began discussing where to place another camera. An earlier survey for Cumberland and Devon avenues appeared to not have enough through and left-turn violations; 30 of the 33 violations recorded were right turns. The next three intersections for consideration are Greenwood Avenue and Oakton Street, Greenwood and Touhy Avenue, and Dee Road and Touhy.
Some council members asked to wait for feedback from residents on the first camera before going forward with additional ones. Others felt the council should begin the process now, explaining that it took several months for approval of all the applications.
Aldermen also considered placing signs at the entrances to the city informing drivers of the use of cameras. They hoped the "halo effect" from the cameras could improve motorist's driving throughout the city.
The state of Illinois may still have a say in the matter. The state senate introduced two bills regarding the cameras. One would allow a car to stop up to one foot beyond the painted line, the other bans the use of the cameras entirely. The house also has a bill pending that alters enforcement on right or left turns.
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