Red Light Cameras Said to Prevent Accidents

 Posted on October 22, 2014 in Personal Injury

Law enforcement officials and state agencies take multiple actions in an attempt to make roadways safer for all drivers. One way roads are made safer is through the enforcement of traffic rules and regulations. Illinois, like a significant portion of other states, employs the use of red light cameras to spot certain motorists' infractions and charge them with the appropriate violation. According to a recent news article the legality of using such cameras was challenged in a local Illinois court.

Challenging Red Light Camera Programs

A legal challenge was brought to the use of red light cameras by a motorist in DuPage County Circuit Court. The driver was aiming to get the program re-examined at the least, and hopefully terminated altogether. The driver was ticketed on two separate occasions for allegedly making a left-hand turn at an intersection after the left-turn arrow at the traffic signal switched from yellow to red. One incident supposedly occurred on May 6th, while the other is said to have taken place on June 11th.

The driver received the relevant citations and argued his case at a Red Light Enforcement Adjudication Hearing as to why the citations he received should be dismissed. The argument hinged in large part on the fact that the yellow arrow at the particular intersection remained so for just 2.5 seconds, which falls short of the required three seconds required by both state and federal guidelines. The violation video was produced as evidence of this fact. The hearing officer was evidently not swayed, since he held that the violations stood and a fine was due and owing.

Red Light Cameras in Illinois

According to the article, about 70 communities in Illinois are currently employing the use of red light cameras. While the cameras record a potential incident, the footage is supposed to be reviewed by police before a citation is issued to be sure that an infraction occurred. Law enforcement officials stand by the use of the cameras, saying they go a long way in reducing the number of traffic accidents that occur. In fact, some officers are saying that the number of accidents has reduced significantly since the cameras were installed and that no fatal crashes have happened since their installation.

The perceived increase in traffic safety is a large part of why so many law enforcement officials support the use of red light cameras. They argue that anything that can potentially change driver's habits can be good, especially when those habits commonly lead to accidents. This includes speeding and tailgating as main culprits.

Accident Injury Attorney

If you or someone you know has been injured in a car accident, hiring an experienced DuPage County personal injury attorney is one of the first steps you should take. Contact Mevorah & Giglio Law Offices today to schedule a consultation to discuss your case. We have offices located in Lombard, Bloomingdale, and Naperville.