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Will red light cameras in Chicago intersections reduce speeding? Or are they a source of revenue for the city?

Posted by David Nemeroff | Nov 09, 2011 | 0 Comments

Many Chicago residents are scratching their heads at this one. Will the installation of additional red light cameras at Chicago intersections to ticket speeding motorist reduce the number of speeding violations. Therefore making the city safer for pedestrians and other motorists? Or will it produce additional revenue for the City of Chicago.

Red light cameras have been used in the past to issue tickets for vehicles that travel through the intersections at inappropriate times. Now they will be used to issue tickets for speeding violations. A bill to do just that was passed by the Illinois Senate. The Senate approved the use of speed cameras at red light intersections. According to city officials there will be 79 red-light camera intersections. The direction is to have the cameras positioned within one-eighth of a mile from parks and schools. The cameras would be operational from the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. It is believed that over 65% of intersections within the City of Chicago could be affected by this new law.

The fines would range from $100 to higher. It will be a graduated fee, depending on speed of the vehicle. The violations will be sent in the mail to the legal license plate holder. Vehicles will be fined for traveling in the excess of five miles or greater the posted speed limit. According to Chicago Mayor Emanuel, the red light speed camera plan is intended to be preventing speeding and serve as a safety measure. Its intent is not to be a money maker for the city. Many Chicago area residents are skeptical. It is believed that the revenue generated by fines would be used for future safety projects. The bottom line is that intersections are dangerous.

Thousands of pedestrians and motorists are injured in intersections. As a Chicago injury and car accident lawyer, I have handled thousands of cases involving accidents that have occurred as a result of speeding. The speed of a vehicle at impact can greatly determine the extent of the damages. Car accidents come in many shapes and forms. I have heard from many motorists, that these red light camera intersections cause a dilemma to even the safest driver. A plethora of thoughts race through a motorists mind as they are approaching these intersections.

Do I stop suddenly? Is the car behind me going to stop? Will I get rear ended? Many motorists go through the intersection for fear of being in a rear end collision. Let's look at what happens when you are involved in a rear end accident. Rear-end car accidents happen all day on Chicago roads. The driver of the rear-ending car is under most circumstances at fault for the rear-end collisions. The driver of the rear-ending car will be held liable for the damage caused in the collision. There are some exceptions and they are in States that have the No-Fault State Exception. Currently there are 12 no-fault states in the US.

Next time you are entering or traveling on a Chicago road, beware of the red light camera. Will they prevent Chicago car accidents and pedestrian accidents? That is question?

About the Author

David Nemeroff

David Nemeroff was voted one of the Top 100 Lawyers in the entire state of Illinois (out of 83,000 lawyers) by Super Lawyers Magazine...

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