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The beginning of the end of red light cameras?

GasBuddy Blog -- Red light cameras have been a thorn in the side of thousands or perhaps millions of American motorists. One of the cities with the most red light cameras in use- Chicago- is now looking into whether they are used to improve safety or to maximize revenue for the city.

Not surprisingly, the only reason Chicago is now evaluating the program is thanks to corruption, which, like moniker the Windy City, is a staple of the largest inland U.S. city.

According to The Expired Meter, a Chicago area motorist blog, Chicago’s red light camera program is the nation’s largest with 384 cameras at 191 intersections, generating tens of millions of dollars in revenue every year.

The article goes on to say that at last Wednesday...

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Submitted Feb 20, 2013 By: PD

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Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,118 Points:291,825 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 16, 2013 11:34:47 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse enough cameras everywhere.
motehab Sophomore Author Twin Cities Posts:106 Points:7,730 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: May 16, 2013 9:37:36 AM Ignore motehab Report Abuse Not a fan of them.
MiataPrincess All-Star Author Des Moines Posts:603 Points:97,800 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: May 16, 2013 8:09:28 AM Ignore MiataPrincess Report Abuse obey the law and you don't get tickets
CapriceWagon All-Star Author Washington Posts:929 Points:477,020 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: May 15, 2013 12:03:26 PM Ignore CapriceWagon Report Abuse Red light cameras don't improve safety, intersections with cameras installed usually see a rise in collisions, especially when policy makers allow the private companies that run the cameras to shorten the yellow light.
Mikeyl Champion Author Cleveland Posts:5,147 Points:1,183,945 Joined:Aug 2004	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 7:48:08 AM Ignore Mikeyl Report Abuse Here's the bottom line: If you don't break the law, you won't get a ticket. You know where the red light and speed cameras are. Don't go through those intersections after it turns amber and don't speed along that section of road. If there is an error, go to court and have it thrown out. That's what the court system is there for. To produce justice for all parties. There is nothing wrong with these systems. Really. Stop whining when you get caught breaking the law.
johnwinger Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:8,377 Points:1,794,715 Joined:Oct 2001	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 7:26:22 AM Ignore johnwinger Report Abuse Guilty without a trial
BDNNOD Sophomore Author Seattle Posts:119 Points:44,740 Joined:Mar 2013	Message Posted: May 10, 2013 2:56:39 AM Ignore BDNNOD Report Abuse THEY WERE A GOOD IDEA ... BUT THE 'FALSE' FLASH ISSUES JUST MEANT MORE CASH IN THE LOCAL COFFERS, UNLESS YOU TOOK THE TIME TO GO TO COURT WITH THE PHOTO EVIDENCE THEY POSYED ONLINE.
RedwingsGranny Sophomore Author Detroit Posts:146 Points:28,580 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 8, 2013 3:41:59 PM Ignore RedwingsGranny Report Abuse Cameras are a good way to help improve safety.
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:585 Points:142,710 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: May 8, 2013 12:02:49 AM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse got to go... illegal money grab
Chris46 Champion Author Dayton Posts:23,654 Points:2,080,365 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 7, 2013 3:07:45 PM Ignore Chris46 Report Abuse Pain
sks1586 All-Star Author New Jersey Posts:570 Points:46,485 Joined:Mar 2013	Message Posted: May 4, 2013 8:19:37 AM Ignore sks1586 Report Abuse Every strategy has 2 sides. Majority should be the strategy decision makers. Unfortunately majority suffer with Red light cameras, because of their presence below the level of lawmakers. Unjust but a truth of life. [Edited by: sks1586 at 5/4/2013 8:20:57 AM EST]
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:585 Points:142,710 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: May 3, 2013 6:58:37 PM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse old news but hope they are all removed -- not a safety issue at all just for them to take more money from us all
BBF_PFS Sophomore Author Washington Posts:192 Points:85,055 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: May 3, 2013 12:24:34 PM Ignore BBF_PFS Report Abuse Red light cameras are only a pain if you run lights. Drive smart the life you save might be mine.
Mopar4me Champion Author Peoria Posts:1,427 Points:750,455 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2013 2:37:18 PM Ignore Mopar4me Report Abuse right on Danny boy! That's why they can be beat in court.
Rainy1 All-Star Author San Diego Posts:557 Points:58,785 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2013 2:37:12 PM Ignore Rainy1 Report Abuse "A thorn in the side?" That's an understatement!
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:585 Points:142,710 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Apr 28, 2013 1:42:10 PM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse very old and very illegal
Bttlecat All-Star Author Oklahoma City Posts:730 Points:85,600 Joined:Jan 2013	Message Posted: Apr 23, 2013 1:42:43 AM Ignore Bttlecat Report Abuse Point the cameras toward the sidewalks, that is where the real crime is. Or better yet, put them in City Hall and its back rooms.
fourdezzzz Veteran Author Atlanta Posts:295 Points:394,125 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: Apr 22, 2013 10:16:43 PM Ignore fourdezzzz Report Abuse The cameras may not be red light only. But serve a higher purpose?
paulweb All-Star Author Ohio Posts:806 Points:353,420 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Apr 21, 2013 7:44:29 AM Ignore paulweb Report Abuse Not a problem in our area.
99dakota Champion Author Providence Posts:8,102 Points:2,171,050 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: Apr 19, 2013 5:53:42 AM Ignore 99dakota Report Abuse Lets hope so
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,118 Points:291,825 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 17, 2013 9:24:19 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse it think they are a wrong approach
wolfsbane Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,089 Points:735,905 Joined:May 2010	Message Posted: Apr 17, 2013 7:46:59 AM Ignore wolfsbane Report Abuse Once they get started they are hard to stop.
werich44 Champion Author California Posts:1,847 Points:467,005 Joined:Jun 2011	Message Posted: Apr 17, 2013 7:32:25 AM Ignore werich44 Report Abuse It's politics as usual in Chicago, the most corrupt city in the U.S.
benjy Champion Author Chicago Posts:8,591 Points:1,786,800 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: Apr 16, 2013 9:08:02 PM Ignore benjy Report Abuse this is a bullcrap story.. Chicago is'nt evaluating anything but a new camera than has Radar Speed technology...A true Fact....
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:585 Points:142,710 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2013 10:46:11 PM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse illegal - unfair money grabs
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,118 Points:291,825 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2013 9:12:02 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse too many cameras, put them in high crime areas though.
priver Veteran Author Alberta Posts:403 Points:34,185 Joined:Apr 2013	Message Posted: Apr 14, 2013 4:02:19 AM Ignore priver Report Abuse good luck!! easy money
WanderDan All-Star Author Dayton Posts:585 Points:142,710 Joined:Nov 2012	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 8:46:51 PM Ignore WanderDan Report Abuse they are losing court cases to keep these in place... the whole due process thing
Donatelo Champion Author Dayton Posts:1,118 Points:291,825 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Mar 7, 2013 10:50:45 AM Ignore Donatelo Report Abuse i do not like camera's everywhere, i say increase the fines then some people may think.
MizzouRah2011 Veteran Author Missouri Posts:320 Points:288,525 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 9:48:15 PM Ignore MizzouRah2011 Report Abuse I realize they can be a pain, but if one follows the law, they will not get a ticket.
mabrams184 Champion Author Lexington Posts:2,095 Points:532,085 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: Mar 6, 2013 4:39:11 PM Ignore mabrams184 Report Abuse This is ripe for corruption.
Methodist All-Star Author Indiana Posts:585 Points:151,315 Joined:Mar 2008	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 3:40:35 PM Ignore Methodist Report Abuse yep
SalukiCO Sophomore Author Colorado Springs Posts:199 Points:242,545 Joined:Jun 2012	Message Posted: Mar 5, 2013 12:01:48 PM Ignore SalukiCO Report Abuse Yeah, let's blame the evil "Chicago corruption" for drivers running red lights. Please explain to me, PD, what corruption has to do with people disobeying traffic control signals. Stop running red lights and it is of little worry to you or anyone else. There would be no revenue to "maximize" if drivers were not running the lights at an alarming rate.
Coco0828 All-Star Author Dallas Posts:987 Points:160,990 Joined:Aug 2012	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 10:30:35 AM Ignore Coco0828 Report Abuse I think that their needed.
docisnot Veteran Author San Diego Posts:375 Points:89,955 Joined:Nov 2010	Message Posted: Feb 26, 2013 9:38:17 AM Ignore docisnot Report Abuse I think they just turned off all of the cameras in San Diego.
gasrat6083 Champion Author Long Island Posts:3,466 Points:1,161,155 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: Feb 25, 2013 12:50:14 PM Ignore gasrat6083 Report Abuse Corruption in Chicago? NAH.
linku2gasbuddy Rookie Author Dallas Posts:49 Points:525,725 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 9:16:01 AM Ignore linku2gasbuddy Report Abuse I guess the next thing we will hear is that George W. Bush will be blamed for the red light cameras! LOL
Vette1967 Champion Author Albany Posts:5,957 Points:1,274,050 Joined:Jun 2009	Message Posted: Feb 24, 2013 2:15:57 AM Ignore Vette1967 Report Abuse Not a fan of these cameras.
gobux10 Champion Author Ohio Posts:3,164 Points:678,010 Joined:Mar 2010	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:26:35 PM Ignore gobux10 Report Abuse Don't like them
hpmossii Sophomore Author Pennsylvania Posts:208 Points:174,080 Joined:Oct 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 8:03:51 PM Ignore hpmossii Report Abuse What's the big deal about some intersections generating a higher volume of revenue than others? It would be more surprising if all the intersections generated the same volume of revenue. The revenue is based on where people break the law and run the lights.
unicornIL Veteran Author Chicago Posts:446 Points:384,195 Joined:Jan 2012	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 11:02:38 AM Ignore unicornIL Report Abuse everything can be abused, people need to obey the law
WhiteTreeIndian Champion Author New Jersey Posts:5,644 Points:1,120,160 Joined:Dec 2009	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 2:57:31 AM Ignore WhiteTreeIndian Report Abuse Cops have no business stealing your money. Cameras ARE ILLEGAL.
Radicalrose Sophomore Author Modesto Posts:124 Points:362,580 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: Feb 23, 2013 12:05:55 AM Ignore Radicalrose Report Abuse we have cameras but they never use them.... think of the lost revenue after the expense of installing the cameras..... why not use them???????
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,442 Points:1,323,805 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2013 11:12:45 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse We have a big crime problem in the country folks. We have burglars and daylight robberies.....assults and home invasions. We need our cops patroling and working hard to see to our safety...not running speed traps and lurking around traffic lights and otherwise molesting law abiding motorist! We can free 'em up (cops) by using these cameras. Let's buck up and not let a few cry babies nit pick them out of existance. Stand up for yourselves and your families safety and survival! More cameras!!!
gasokie Champion Author Oklahoma Posts:3,442 Points:1,323,805 Joined:May 2007	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2013 11:08:40 PM Ignore gasokie Report Abuse If cameras can free up cops to patrol and protect my property and family..then leave em up. If you don't like it, start obeying them and you too can help save lives. Let's be all "grown up" on this guys.
Canucktree Champion Author Alberta Posts:4,886 Points:1,018,675 Joined:Dec 2008	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2013 10:15:26 AM Ignore Canucktree Report Abuse Not worth 63 Votes!!
fuzzyscout Rookie Author Virginia Posts:68 Points:312,075 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2013 9:28:12 AM Ignore fuzzyscout Report Abuse Not running a red light does not guarantee that you won't get a ticket. In some systems, people read the plates shown in the photos. A friend (no, a real friend; not me) received a ticket in the People's Republic of the District of Columbia when he could prove that he and his car were hundreds of miles away. He also thought that it was clear in the photo that the plate was not his. In DC, people who have jobs often pay the tickets rather than wait the hours necessary to file an appeal, because it is cheaper than taking time from work; paying parking fees near the traffic adjudication bureau, etc. My friend was sufficiently outraged to take the time to fight, and win, his case.
rwg13 Rookie Author Colorado Springs Posts:2 Points:140 Joined:Feb 2013	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2013 9:25:53 AM Ignore rwg13 Report Abuse If people don't run red lights, then there would be no tickets. There was an intersection near my house with an average of 1 death a year over the last 15 years, caused by people running red lights. When teaching my son to drive, I took him to that intersection to show him that just because your light is green, do not assume you are safe. It's much cheaper to have a camera than a cop catching the slackers and criminals running the red lights.
Bonanza Champion Author Boston Posts:12,075 Points:2,549,055 Joined:Jun 2004	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2013 5:20:17 AM Ignore Bonanza Report Abuse I you don't run a red light, you don't need to worry
SilverBullet11 Rookie Author Arkansas Posts:40 Points:494,600 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: Feb 22, 2013 1:30:51 AM Ignore SilverBullet11 Report Abuse The cities are only interested in the extra revenue with no cops writing tickets. Motorist will continue to speed through yellow lights to beat the red light !!!