New Chicago speed cameras capture more than 200,000 violations in just 45 days

[Cebu_4_2]

New Chicago speed cameras capture more than 200,000 violations in just 45 days

http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2011/11/15/pfeiffer-40x40_001209.jpg (http://news.yahoo.com/author/eric-pfeiffer/) By Eric Pfeiffer, Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/author/eric-pfeiffer/) October 12, 2013 4:04 PM



http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/7kXID6Ce8T7kVFLXFFna4A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-12/03b188a0-ee4b-4259-a235-283219654a15_Redlightcamera.jpgRed light cameras are controversail but generate money cities and states (Wikicommons)


Newly installed speed cameras in Chicago have tallied up some eye-catching numbers, with more than 200,000 violations (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-10-11/news/chi-speed-cameras-may-bring-in-more-revenue-than-expected-20131011_1_emanuel-speed-cameras-6-to-10-mph-scott-kubly) captured at just four sites ” during the past 45 days.

"Yes, there were a lot of speeders, but I think the more interesting thing is how effective the warning period has been," said Scott Kubly said, the Chicago Department of Transportation official overseeing the new program told the Chicago Tribune.

So far, the city has only been issuing warnings to errant drivers caught on camera. If those warnings had been actual tickets, they would have amounted to $13.9 million in fines in just over a month (http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local/chicago_news&id=9283474). Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has said he expects the new speed camera system to generate about $15 million in revenue before the end of the year, once the warning system transitions to issuing actual tickets after October 21.

An analysis from ABC News says that if the violations remain roughly on the same pace through 2014, the program will generate revenue “well above” the $40 to $60 million estimated by Emanuel.

While cameras are currently only posted at four sites, that's expected to expand to 50 locations by the end of 2013.

Each driver gets one free warning for their first violation captured by the cameras. After that, they will receive a ticket and corresponding fine by mail. Fines start at $35 but can go up to $100 if drivers are clocked at driving more than 11 miles above the posted speed limit.

Since first coming into use in the 1990’s, 26 states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia have used red light camera systems (http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics).
Of course, red light cameras have plenty of critics. While they generate income for cash strapped states and cities, some say they are unconstitutional and an inconvenience for motorists.

One company has created an app that alerts drivers when they are approaching one of the cameras. Built with user-generated data, the app’s creators say the goal is to help drivers avoid the fines while allowing them to keep their eyes on the road.

“We are simply giving (drivers) a heads-up. We’re not jamming anything,” Cobra Electronics (https://cobra.com/index.cfm) marketing director Chris Kooistra told Chicago Grid (http://www.chicagogrid.com/reviews/tech/avoid-speed-cameras/).

In 2010, Arizona announced it had decided to not renew its red light camera program (http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/06/nation/la-na-speed-cameras-20100507) after the system proved wildly unpopular with state drivers.

Montana passed a similar ban in 2009 and the vast majority of local ballot initiatives to prohibit red light cameras have passed (http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/27/2769.asp).

Chicago has said that it plans to use the money generated from its speed cameras to invest in safety initiatives, after school programs, job initiatives and other funding projects.

[Dogman]

In so many ways those things are a money making racket. Most have very short yellow light warning times. The city near me has them and there is a ongoing stink about the light timings, nothing more than a automated speed trap.

[Glass]

yes these are the ones we have being setup around here as well. Same housing. The IR emitter is different. Still these are a PITA. Placed on major highway intersections and I agree, I think the Amber times are shorter on those intersections. This actually causes more speeding IMO so you can be done for running a red or speeding at the intersection tyring to beat the amber.

How many accidents did those cameras stop from happening in the 45 days. The cameras are supposed to be for traffic safety so they should be able to demonstrate the number of accidents that were avoided due to the camera.

We have them on our freeways, where accidents never really happen. Maybe the odd person hits a bridge or something, but freeways are pretty good for safety. I dont see the safety angle at all.

[osoab]

Have you ever driven in Shitcago?

[Cebu_4_2]

They have failed in many cities already. The maintenance, monitoring and lease rates kill the profit they say.

An anti-camera license plate cover might be in store for this.

[Dogman]

yes these are the ones we have being setup around here as well. Same housing. The IR emitter is different. Still these are a PITA. Placed on major highway intersections and I agree, I think the Amber times are shorter on those intersections. This actually causes more speeding IMO so you can be done for running a red or speeding at the intersection tyring to beat the amber.

How many accidents did those cameras stop from happening in the 45 days. The cameras are supposed to be for traffic safety so they should be able to demonstrate the number of accidents that were avoided due to the camera.

We have them on our freeways, where accidents never really happen. Maybe the odd person hits a bridge or something, but freeways are pretty good for safety. I dont see the safety angle at all.Here I believe accedents have sorta gone up, people slamming on their brakes trying to stop when they see the amber/yellow and get rear ended.

When the light changes there is hardly any time to get through the intersection before the light goes red and that is for the ones that are already starting into the intersection. Most here that are in the know start slowing down way before the intersection while it is still green, expecting the light to change and are ready to stop.

Still a bunch/ out of towner's that get caught and drive up the car in fronts ass.


Edit: There are several of these cameras that have had some "nasty" things happen to them...LoL

[osoab]

Hell, the toll authority can't even get it right. Shitcago already had a red light camera contract, but there were some snafus along the way.

Authorities seek financial records of commissioner who oversaw red-light camera program (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-03-16/news/ct-met-redflex-chicago-investigation-0316-20130316_1_redflex-holdings-ltd-u-s-attorney-city-program-manager)
I would be looking at who are the principals of the red light camera company. I wonder if this story isn't a way to bury the past in the minds of the proles.

[Glass]

Here I believe accedents have sorta gone up, people slamming on their brakes trying to stop when they see the amber/yellow and get rear ended.

When the light changes there is hardly any time to get through the intersection before the light goes red and that is for the ones that are already starting into the intersection. Most here that are in the know start slowing down way before the intersection while it is still green, expecting the light to change and are ready to stop.

Still a bunch/ out of towner's that get caught and drive up the car in fronts ass.


Edit: There are several of these cameras that have had some "nasty" things happen to them...LoL

This is what I hear as well. When there are lots of cameras accidents go up. They mentioned it on TopGear a couple years back. Government study shows accidents increase in proportion to the number of cameras. No cameras, accidents fall.

I think all of the ones installed here have been replaced once. I know one of them is 2 times replaced and one is the 4th camera they have had to install. Seems duck hunting season came early that year. A lot of ducks seem to have landed on these large boxes on poles in the middle of intersections. Now the Speed cameras have CCTV cameras all around them.

[Glass]

Interesting story about the speed cameras.


Chicago official guilty in Redflex scandal

Greedy Chicago official John Bills and the eager-to-expand executives heading Australian red-light camera company Redflex's US operation were the perfect match.
Both initially got what they wanted, although they're now being hammered for their illicit plan.

Bills, 54, was swiftly convicted by a jury in a Chicago court on Tuesday of all 20 charges, including bribery, extortion and tax evasion, and faces a long stint in jail after taking more than $US2 million in cash and lavish gifts from Redflex Traffic Systems.

The former Chicago Department of Transport's second-in-command showed little emotion when the verdict was handed down after less than a day of deliberations.
"John is going to continue to fight for his innocence," Bills' lawyer John Nishay said after the decision, the Chicago-Tribune reported.
The prosecution's star witness was Redflex's former chief executive of its North American operations, Karen Finley, who will be sentenced next month after pleading guilty to paying bribes to Bills.

Through the secret relationship between Bills, Finley and other Redflex executives in the US, the company rapidly expanded in Chicago with $US100 million in contracts and 384 cameras that generated $US600 million in fines.
Bills pocketed cash for each camera.

Chicago had more cameras than any other city in the US.

Bills would rig committee decisions, including selecting unclear photos by a rival red-light camera operator and clear shots taken by ASX-listed, Melbourne-headquartered Redflex.

It allowed Bills to live a lavish style, lapping up gifts, hotel stays and meals, and large sums of cash.

Story @ the West (https://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/30663555/us-official-guilty-of-redflex-bribery/)

one of the arguments we use down here against camera based infringements is a) their inherent inaccuracy, b) none of the cameras are in compliance with National measurement laws and as such cannot be used as evidence. This applies to ALL speed and traffic cameras in use here in Australia.

[Joshua01]

New Chicago speed cameras capture more than 200,000 violations in just 45 days

http://l.yimg.com/os/152/2011/11/15/pfeiffer-40x40_001209.jpg (http://news.yahoo.com/author/eric-pfeiffer/) By Eric Pfeiffer, Yahoo News (http://news.yahoo.com/author/eric-pfeiffer/) October 12, 2013 4:04 PM



http://l3.yimg.com/bt/api/res/1.2/7kXID6Ce8T7kVFLXFFna4A--/YXBwaWQ9eW5ld3M7cT04NTt3PTYzMA--/http://l.yimg.com/os/publish-images/news/2013-10-12/03b188a0-ee4b-4259-a235-283219654a15_Redlightcamera.jpgRed light cameras are controversail but generate money cities and states (Wikicommons)


Newly installed speed cameras in Chicago have tallied up some eye-catching numbers, with more than 200,000 violations (http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-10-11/news/chi-speed-cameras-may-bring-in-more-revenue-than-expected-20131011_1_emanuel-speed-cameras-6-to-10-mph-scott-kubly) captured at just four sites ” during the past 45 days.

"Yes, there were a lot of speeders, but I think the more interesting thing is how effective the warning period has been," said Scott Kubly said, the Chicago Department of Transportation official overseeing the new program told the Chicago Tribune.

So far, the city has only been issuing warnings to errant drivers caught on camera. If those warnings had been actual tickets, they would have amounted to $13.9 million in fines in just over a month (http://abclocal.go.com/wls/story?section=news/local/chicago_news&id=9283474). Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has said he expects the new speed camera system to generate about $15 million in revenue before the end of the year, once the warning system transitions to issuing actual tickets after October 21.

An analysis from ABC News says that if the violations remain roughly on the same pace through 2014, the program will generate revenue “well above” the $40 to $60 million estimated by Emanuel.

While cameras are currently only posted at four sites, that's expected to expand to 50 locations by the end of 2013.

Each driver gets one free warning for their first violation captured by the cameras. After that, they will receive a ticket and corresponding fine by mail. Fines start at $35 but can go up to $100 if drivers are clocked at driving more than 11 miles above the posted speed limit.

Since first coming into use in the 1990’s, 26 states in the U.S. and the District of Columbia have used red light camera systems (http://www.iihs.org/iihs/topics).
Of course, red light cameras have plenty of critics. While they generate income for cash strapped states and cities, some say they are unconstitutional and an inconvenience for motorists.

One company has created an app that alerts drivers when they are approaching one of the cameras. Built with user-generated data, the app’s creators say the goal is to help drivers avoid the fines while allowing them to keep their eyes on the road.

“We are simply giving (drivers) a heads-up. We’re not jamming anything,” Cobra Electronics (https://cobra.com/index.cfm) marketing director Chris Kooistra told Chicago Grid (http://www.chicagogrid.com/reviews/tech/avoid-speed-cameras/).

In 2010, Arizona announced it had decided to not renew its red light camera program (http://articles.latimes.com/2010/may/06/nation/la-na-speed-cameras-20100507) after the system proved wildly unpopular with state drivers.

Montana passed a similar ban in 2009 and the vast majority of local ballot initiatives to prohibit red light cameras have passed (http://www.thenewspaper.com/news/27/2769.asp).

Chicago has said that it plans to use the money generated from its speed cameras to invest in safety initiatives, after school programs, job initiatives and other funding projects.

Another example of Big Brother fund raising. You think it's bad now, wait until Free Shit Sanders gets elected. The money has to come from somewhere folks!

[cheka.]

nice kicker -- i've seen where local gov signed contract with contractor to run smart parking meters. citizens raised hell, and got them removed.....only to learn that their local gov signed contract that stipulated large payoff to contractor if that happened

[Glass]

nice kicker -- i've seen where local gov signed contract with contractor to run smart parking meters. citizens raised hell, and got them removed.....only to learn that their local gov signed contract that stipulated large payoff to contractor if that happened

yes, it pretty clear that rate payers, tax payers etc are pretty low on the priority list to get any benefits out of any contract created by a government organisation. In those cases what should happen is the muni should phoenix itself and stick the contractor with a claim against a defunct or de-funded corporation. Let them get their value out of that... or the people who formerly ran it.

The thing about this deal is, that it is a viable candidate for rescission of the contract on the grounds of the dishonesty.

It is interesting that there was already a thread about this exact city and the camera scam. I wonder if there will be any local fallout on this company because they have been caught bribing people elsewhere. The camera company is Australian.