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While cameras have been patrolling a major Westmont intersection for only a few weeks, police are already seeing a large number of violations and are warning motorists that fines are coming.
Cameras began shooting video and pictures of violators beginning Feb. 1 at the intersection of Naperville Road and Cass Avenue. The village has been sending warnings to motorists caught by the cameras but will begin issuing $100 fines starting Monday, March 2.
Westmont Police Chief Jim Ramey said police have already issued a large number of warning tickets to motorists caught on camera. Most of the violations are of motorists who are not coming to a complete stop before turning right on a red light, which Ramey said is a violation of the law.
“We have been mailing out warnings to those violators as a way to educate motorists on the law before citations are issued,” he said.
Ramey said he was uncertain how many warning violations police have sent out to date.
A recent 12-hour study conducted by RedSpeed showed more than 60 violations at the intersection during that period.
The Westmont Village Board approved the use of photo enforcement last August to catch motorists who drive through red lights, or make illegal right turns. The village entered into an agreement with RedSpeed-Illinois, a Lombard-based company to purchase the camera services for four years.
One complaint that has arisen regarding the cameras has been the bright, flashing light associated with cameras taking pictures at night, which is required to take pictures of license plate. Police said RedSpeed has installed some filters on those lights, but they are a necessary part of the system.
“Until technology improves, the lights are necessary,” Ramey said. “We have taken steps to try to make them less noticeable.”
Sgt. Ross Brenza, who has been in charge of the red-light enforcement program for the village, said the data from the cameras is collected by RedSpeed, and then sent to the Westmont Police Department. An officer there reviews any suspected violations and determines whether a ticket should be issued. Individuals ticketed can appeal the fines in court.
The location of the cameras was based on accident data conducted by RedSpeed, Ramey said. The village also hopes to install them at two other locations but is waiting for approval from state and county agencies, since the proposed intersections have shared jurisdictions over the roads.
While cameras have been patrolling a major Westmont intersection for only a few weeks, police are already seeing a large number of violations and are warning motorists that fines are coming.
Cameras began shooting video and pictures of violators beginning Feb. 1 at the intersection of Naperville Road and Cass Avenue. The village has been sending warnings to motorists caught by the cameras but will begin issuing $100 fines starting Monday, March 2.
Westmont Police Chief Jim Ramey said police have already issued a large number of warning tickets to motorists caught on camera. Most of the violations are of motorists who are not coming to a complete stop before turning right on a red light, which Ramey said is a violation of the law.
“We have been mailing out warnings to those violators as a way to educate motorists on the law before citations are issued,” he said.
Ramey said he was uncertain how many warning violations police have sent out to date.
A recent 12-hour study conducted by RedSpeed showed more than 60 violations at the intersection during that period.
The Westmont Village Board approved the use of photo enforcement last August to catch motorists who drive through red lights, or make illegal right turns. The village entered into an agreement with RedSpeed-Illinois, a Lombard-based company to purchase the camera services for four years.
One complaint that has arisen regarding the cameras has been the bright, flashing light associated with cameras taking pictures at night, which is required to take pictures of license plate. Police said RedSpeed has installed some filters on those lights, but they are a necessary part of the system.
“Until technology improves, the lights are necessary,” Ramey said. “We have taken steps to try to make them less noticeable.”
Sgt. Ross Brenza, who has been in charge of the red-light enforcement program for the village, said the data from the cameras is collected by RedSpeed, and then sent to the Westmont Police Department. An officer there reviews any suspected violations and determines whether a ticket should be issued. Individuals ticketed can appeal the fines in court.
The location of the cameras was based on accident data conducted by RedSpeed, Ramey said. The village also hopes to install them at two other locations but is waiting for approval from state and county agencies, since the proposed intersections have shared jurisdictions over the roads.
