Cook County approved the installation of 30 new red light cameras as area officials continue to expand a program they contend is aimed at reducing serious and fatal Chicago car accidents.
In March, we reported on our Chicago Car Accident Lawyers Blog that area police chiefs had voiced strong support for the program. Detractors claim the cameras are little more than a cash cow for government and are being installed without regard for reducing traffic accidents.Nationwide, 1 in every 7 traffic fatalities occurs at an intersection. More than 7,700 motorists were killed at intersection crashes in 2008, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. During the first eight months of last year, the City of Chicago collected nearly $38 million from more than 200 cameras installed throughout the city.
Other states are struggling with the issue. In Florida, lawmakers passed a law earlier this year allowing motorists to be mailed tickets for violations. Palm Beach County reported an increase in rear-end collisions at intersections, with no noticeable decrease in accidents. The county loosened restrictions on right-turn-on-red violations after the mayor was ticketed. In Arizona, the governor recently announced an end to that state’s program after motorists largely ignored tickets delivered in the mail.
The move by the Cook County Board will put cameras at 30 intersections in suburban Chicago by mid-summer, including one suburb where the cameras were removed last year. Schaumburg got rid of its cameras last year, saying they were too much trouble and unfair to motorists. However, with the county having jurisdiction over many suburban roads, Schaumburg will get six of the cameras whether it wants them or not.
CBS2 reported the cameras will be installed at the following intersections:
-Lake Avenue and Ridge Road, Wilmette
-87th Street and Roberts Road, Hickory Hills/Justice
-Arlington Heights Road and Lake-Cook Road, Arlington Heights/Buffalo Grove
-Schaumburg Road and Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg
-Vollmer Road and Central Road, Matteson
-Euclid Avenue and Roselle Road, Palatine
-Euclid Avenue and Quentin Road, Palatine
-103rd Street and Roberts Road, Palos Hills
-Lake-Cook Road and McHenry Road, Hickory Hills
-Schaumburg Road and Roselle Road, Schaumburg
-Lake-Cook Road and Skokie Boulevard, Northbrook
-Greenwood Road and 154th Street, South Holland/Dolton
-167th Street and Kedzie Avenue, Hazel Crest/Markham
-Sauk Trail and Orchard Drive, Park Forest
-143rd Street and Ridgeland Avenue, Orland Park
-Buffalo Grove Road and Lake-Cook Road, Buffalo Grove
-Meacham Road and Nerge Road, Elk Grove Village
-Central Road and Roselle Road, Schaumburg
-Lake-Cook Road and Waukegan Road, Deerfield
-Hintz Road and Arlington Heights Road, Arlington heights
-Hintz Road and Wolf Road, Wheeling
-County Line Road and Plainfield Road, Hinsdale
-Roselle Road and Wise Road, Schaumburg
-Meacham Road and Biesterfield Road, Elk Grove Village
-Wise Road and Springinsguth Road, Schaumburg
-County Line Road and German Church, Burr Ridge
-171st Street and 80th Avenue, Tinley Park
-Arlington Heights Road and Devon Avenue, Elk Grove Village
-Hintz Road and Buffalo Grove Road, Arlington Heights
-Schaumburg Road and Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, the Chicago injury lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.