Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

Chicago's Red Light Cameras Now a Point of Contention for Mayoral Candidates

Posted by timothy on from the man-vs-the-state's-electronic-proxy dept.

The same system of red-light cameras in Chicago that was shown last year to have been generating bogus tickets is still around -- but now, reports Reuters, it's a political punching bag for opponents of Chicago mayor Rahm Emanuel in an upcoming election. "[Emanuel], who supports the nation's largest automated camera system, is polling slightly under the 50 percent plus one vote he needs to avoid a run-off against the second-highest vote-getter. Three of the four challengers seeking to topple Emanuel say the cameras should go. Emanuel's closest rival, Cook County Commissioner Jesus "Chuy" Garcia, who is polling at about 20 percent, said he would only keep cameras that have been proven to reduce accidents. .... Chicago has red-light cameras at 174 intersections and 144 speed cameras near schools and parks around the city. They have brought in $500 million since 2003, according to media reports, a figure Chicago has neither confirmed nor disputed.

8 of 93 comments (clear)

  1. its all about the $$$ by ganjadude · · Score: 5, Insightful
    Its been proven time and time again that red light cameras do more harm than good. how can anyone still support such bad use of tech???

    They have brought in $500 million since 2003, according to media reports,

    Ahhhh, its all so clear now.....

    --
    have you seen my sig? there are many others like it but none that are the same
    1. Re:its all about the $$$ by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Correct.

      A Congressional investigation and study showed that the Yellow lights were shortened to ensure people running Red lights. The Congressional finding were a condemnation of every politician trying to increase cashflow at the expense of safety.

    2. Re:its all about the $$$ by tugboat0902 · · Score: 5, Funny

      But then you would have the opposite problem. People stopping at green lights.

    3. Re:its all about the $$$ by Ichijo · · Score: 4, Informative

      Its been proven time and time again that red light cameras do more harm than good.

      And the opposite has also been proven:

      "Crash effects detected were consistent in direction with those found in many previous studies: decreased right-angle crashes and increased rear end ones."

      (Right-angle crashes are much more dangerous to the occupants than rear end crashes, so exchanging the former for the latter results in a net improvement in safety.)

      To further improve the safety of red-light cameras, consider that almost all rear-end collisions are caused by people tailgating. If each red-light camera were turned into a combination red-light and speed camera, people would slow down when approaching intersections, so someone slamming on their brakes at the last minute would be less likely to be hit from behind.

      --
      Any sufficiently unpopular but cohesive argument is indistinguishable from trolling.
    4. Re:its all about the $$$ by newcastlejon · · Score: 4, Insightful

      To further improve the safety of red-light cameras, consider that almost all rear-end collisions are caused by people tailgating. If each red-light camera were turned into a combination red-light and speed camera, people would slow down when approaching intersections, so someone slamming on their brakes at the last minute would be less likely to be hit from behind.

      Emphasis mine.

      I don't think you were saying that rear-end collisions are the fault of the car in front, even when they brake suddenly, but I think it's important to say that any rear-end collision is the fault of the car behind. It doesn't matter how sharply the car in front brakes, you should never be so close that you can't also stop safely. Suppose that instead of a red light there's a child running into the road; the car ahead may brake very sharply indeed, but if you're behind and you give them another push you might just make the difference between near-miss and tragedy. Tailgating needs to be treat more severely than speeding if you ask me, or at least enforced... at all.

      --
      If God forks the Universe every time you roll a die, he'd better have a damned good memory.
  2. Political pressure can work by Kohath · · Score: 4, Interesting

    This is how we got rid of red light cameras in San Diego. It became an issue in the mayoral race and soon after the election they were gone.

    If Chicago had legitimate elections, they might be able to solve some of their government-related problems too.

  3. Selling Chicago one chunk at a time... by seven+of+five · · Score: 5, Funny

    Over the past 10-15 years we've seen the politicians sell the Chicago Skyway, the parking meters, and the red light/speeding cameras to private interests. The money is gone and the city is still stuck with deficits in the hundreds of millions. Maybe the mayor and councilmen should get those jackets with ad patches like NASCAR.

    1. Re:Selling Chicago one chunk at a time... by 0123456 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      This is how it is across USA politics.

      You seem to believe it's somehow different in other countries.