The engine powering the idea that red-light cameras are the next public-safety innovation appears to be running out of gas.
More than a year ago, officials in Lombard decided to have red-light cameras placed at the intersections of North Avenue and Route 53 as well as Finley and Roosevelt roads. The village contracted with RedSpeed Illinois, an international firm with its U.S. headquarters in Lombard, to install and service the cameras. RedSpeed Illinois has similar contracts with several municipalities in the western suburbs.
But this spring, Lombard officials opted to remove a set of red-light cameras at Finley and Roosevelt roads. The public-safety benefits have not materialized, with accidents increasing at that intersection by 5 percent during the past year.
Meanwhile, officials in Naperville haven’t decided to remove any red-light cameras just yet, but they voted this month to cease issuing tickets for right-hand turns on red lights at intersections where such turns are not prohibited. Officials in favor of removing right-on-red as a camera violation said they don’t see any evidence that these purported infractions increase roadway hazards.
Naperville has three cameras: Route 59 at North Aurora Road, Route 59 at Diehl Road and Ogden Avenue at Aurora Avenue. The cameras will continue enforcing no right-hand turns for eastbound traffic at Route 59 and North Aurora Road because all turns on red are banned.
Lombard officials said accidents decreased by 31 percent at Route 53 and North Avenue in the past year. It’s possible that the cameras contributed positively to this statistic, but that’s not demonstrated at many other places where cameras are used.
A growing body of research nationwide shows red-light cameras do not improve traffic safety. Public officials have ignored this evidence to chase the revenue these devices bring. The recent decisions in Lombard and Naperville hint at this trend reversing.
