SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Motorists angry about getting traffic tickets for violations caught on camera would get some relief from a measure the Illinois Senate approved Thursday.
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Motorists angry about getting traffic tickets for violations caught on camera would get some relief from a measure the Illinois Senate approved Thursday. The legislation, which passed 45-10 and heads to the House, would ease enforcement of traffic laws at traffic signals and make it less cumbersome for people to appeal. The so-called red light cameras are installed at historically dangerous intersections in the Chicago and St. Louis metropolitan areas and take video of vehicles. The video is then used to send tickets to drivers who appear to break traffic laws, such as running a red light or an illegal right turn. Critics argue that the cameras are simply money machines for municipalities and generate revenue through questionable enforcement of traffic laws. The bill, introduced by Senate President John Cullerton, would prohibit ticketing motorists who come to a complete stop, even if they stop closer to the intersection than allowed, unless pedestrians are present. It also would require posting all red-light camera locations on the Internet, ban appeal fees for those who want to challenge tickets and require cities to study intersections where cameras are located to determine whether accidents are increasing and further measures necessary. Cullerton, D-Chicago, said he wants to add safeguards but not eliminate the use of red-light cameras. "It does not abolish them because I believe it’s fairly clear that there’s still a need, for safety reasons, to make sure that people are not allowed to run red lights," Cullerton said. Under the bill, police officers would review video and issue tickets. Trained technicians would be allowed the responsibility in Chicago. Yellow-light intervals at the intersections would have to comply with federal standards, and those accused of violating traffic laws would be allowed to see the recorded image. Sen. Dan Duffy, R-Lake Barrington, said taxpayers oppose the cameras. "We should not be implementing laws that make government wealthy," Duffy said. "We should be implementing laws that the people want. The people do not want the red-light cameras." Fellow Republican John Millner of Elmhurst, a former police officer, said the cameras are a necessary tool to crack down on scofflaws, which in turn increases safety. "We never won popularity contests for writing traffic tickets," Millner said. But, he said, "they worked." Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.