Red-Light Camera Grace Period Goes From 0.1 To 0.3 Seconds, Chicago To Lose $17 Million (arstechnica.com)

The Chicago Department of Transportation announced a new policy earlier this week that will increase the "grace period" -- the time between when a traffic light turns red to when a ticket is automatically issued. The decision has been made to increase the time from 0.1 seconds to 0.3 seconds, following recommendations part of a recent study of its red-light cameras. Ars Technica reports: This will bring the Windy City in line with other American metropolises, including New York City and Philadelphia. In a statement, the city agency said that this increase would "maintain the safety benefits of the program while ensuring the program's fairness." On Tuesday, the Chicago Tribune reported that the city would lose $17 million in revenue this year alone as a result of the expanded grace period. Michael Claffey, a CDOT spokesman, confirmed that figure to Ars. "We want to emphasize that extending this enforcement threshold is not an invitation to drivers to try to beat the red light," CDOT Commissioner Rebekah Scheinfeld also said in the statement. "By accepting the recommendation of the academic team, we are giving the benefit of the doubt to well-intentioned drivers while remaining focused on the most reckless behaviors."

Comments

Hey guys.

[Anonymous Coward]

Did you hear?
Going faster through a red light means the camera won't get you!

Re:Hey guys.

[jandersen]

You may have to go fast enough to red-shift the wavelength of the reflected light below infra-red. If your car is that fast, I think you will have more pressing matters to attend to, like staying on the planet.

Re:A way better solution

[Opportunist]

That's similar to the Greek solution: The traffic light is mostly seen as a suggestion or guideline, and whoever honks the loudest moves first.

No-no-no, light speed is too slow!

[Widowwolf]

Yes, we're gonna have to go right to... Ludicrous speed!