Comments on: Proposed Speed Camera Enforcement Could Generate Millions For Cash Strapped Chicago

By: R dealva

R dealva — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 00:34:05 +0000

More Redlights in my opinion “Will not ensure the the safety of our school children” It is another tactic to bring revenue to the City Of Chicago and by the way don’t forget about decrease of Chicago Police Force on the streets. ROBOCOPS Really!?! Unfortunately, some people live in Chicago and others have to drive in and/or thru Chicago at one time or another.

By: A. Castro

A. Castro — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 05:05:06 +0000

In response to Greg: I’m with you there, but I now take different routes altogether. I once drove through 79th/Stony Island/South Chicago but I stopped doing so because I became too stressed to take that route. I would only take that route if my life depended on it, but since it doesn’t, I’ll stick to driving on Yates Blvd (St?)or Exchange on my way over to 63rd St…

The brake scenario happened to me too, but I was lucky not to be on the wrong side of the intersection (79th/Jeffery) when it happened. I tried to brake and my car literally stopped INTO the intersection due to the slpiiery roads, causing traffic to stop and wait until I continued on my not-so-merry way…

And I’m sincerely hoping that the flash I saw today was a figment from my imagination, I, like almost everyone in Chicago, don’t need more things to worry about…

By: Pete

Pete — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 05:10:17 +0000

I’m sure the “due process” for speed cameras will be the same as for red-light cameras. Non-existent.

By: Greg

Greg — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 04:43:42 +0000

You know what the red light cameras have begun to encourage me to do? Take side streets around the intersections. Not because I plan to blow the lights, but because I don’t have any faith that I can actually stop in the 3 seconds that they are timed to. I got a red light ticket a month ago on Canal and Roosevelt, because it was raining, and if I had tried to brake, I simply would have slid through the intersection, and that is not a defense, so I’m screwed. The speed cameras will force me to do the same – I’ll just go through neighborhoods to avoid them. So I am actually creating more traffic in neighborhoods because of this.

And by the way, I know its a law that all red light cameras have to be listed on the cities website, but is it a law that all intersections have to be marked with a sign at the intersection? I see the signs, but wonder if its a law. I’m assuming it is, otherwise the city wouldn’t give that warning.

By: BXK

BXK — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:29:37 +0000

I should add that the speed limits are likely set too low as well. This just makes it worse. If the road should be 40mph based on engineering, speed studies, natural traffic flow, etc and is set at 25-30, it just makes speed cameras that much worse.

Kinda like having to drive 55mph on I355 at 11pm at night. It is PAINFUL. Yet you’re at risk for a ticket if you go over, despite being one of only a few cars on the road. Drive in bumper to bumper and you can go 75-80 all day.

Which is truly more dangerous?

So MAYBE I could accept more speed cameras 1) if the speed limits were set properly and not by some suit in city hall that doesn’t know 2 beans about traffic engineering, and 2) the fines were reduced to reasonable levels. $100+ for going 35 in a 30 is outrageous. Much like $375 minimum fine in a 45mph construction zone at 2am with no workers is outrageous.

Its all a money grab. Making criminals out of people who are not. Honestly, if 90%+ of traffic is violating a speed limit, chances are the speed limit is not properly set.

By: BXK

BXK — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 01:25:20 +0000

Awful.

It is just never enough, is it? Fees, taxes, vehicle stickers, Cook County taxes, red light cameras, speed cameras and on and on and on and on.

I’ve loved my time here. But this is finally getting to be enough. Not only is it one thing to constantly find ways of increasing revenue, its an absolute slap in the face when government spending doesn’t shrink one bit. We are expected to just keep paying while they keep spending.

And don’t give me this “for the kids” garbage any longer. They think we’re all morons. Thing, is enough voters are big enough morons to buy garbage like this.

The thinking people are the ones who will leave the more they squeeze our wallets.

By: Fast Car

Fast Car — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 14:24:44 +0000

BTW, I was at the IACP convention at McCormick Place yesterday and RedFlex was there with a giant booth talking about how much safer Chicago is (traffic-wise obviously) and how their systems are dual redlight/speed cameras. They did let slip that there’s the possibility that they may install the red light cameras/speed cameras on LSD…

By: The Parking Ticket Geek

The Parking Ticket Geek — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 04:30:00 +0000

Drew,

I think we are all in agreement. It’s about revenue.

Let me relay this. When I take my kids to school in the morning–and I pass at least 3 RLCs–there’s no way in hell I could be speeding due to all the traffic.

It would be nearly impossible unless I wanted to ram my car into the back of someone else a few feet ahead of me.

I don’t ever see anyone speeding that time of day because it’s physically impossible–at least where the cameras are.

By: Drew

Drew — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 03:03:12 +0000

Take redex out of the equation and I might be able to stomach these types of cameras in chicago.

By: Drew

Drew — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 02:56:08 +0000

All due respect to Mike and Doc…

Child Safety isn’t the reason.

Money is.

Because I highly doubt that the City is going to shut these cameras off when class is out.