Protesters turned out on Valentine’s day to campaign against Chicago’s red-light cameras.
While authorities contend the cameras are in place to reduce serious and fatal Chicago car accidents, several dozen Chicago motorists turned out for a national day of opposition, according to the Chicago Tribune.
The protest at the southeast corner of Addison Street and Western Avenue, urged motorists to honk their horns against the cameras, which mail photographs and tickets to offenders. A growing opposition movement contends the cameras are being used to generate revenue with little impact on reducing serious or fatal crashes at intersections.
Scott Tucker, the protest organizer and a Republican candidate for the 11th District state House seat, said he supports legislation to get rid of the cameras in Illinois. “It’s taking money out of our pockets and putting it into a wasteful government economy,” Tucker told the Tribune.
A spokeswoman for the Chicago Department of Transportation said the cameras are “first and foremost about safety” and have been since the city began installing the cameras several years ago.
Intersection crashes caused by red-light runners continue to be a leading cause of serious and fatal Chicago car accidents.
Earlier this month we reported here at Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog, that 1 in 4 fatal Illinois traffic accidents occurs at an intersection each year, killing more than 250 Illinois motorists.
Late last year, Chicago Car Accident Lawyers blog reported on an investigation by the Chicago Tribune, which found an increase at half of the 14 suburban Chicago intersections where the cameras had been installed.
In October, Chicago Personal Injury Lawyer blog reported the city issued more than half a million tickets in the first eight months of the year and collected almost $38 million in revenue.
This year’s city budget includes money to add another 50 cameras to Chicago intersections, bringing the citywide total to 189.
If you or a loved one has been injured in an accident, the Chicago car accident attorneys and the personal injury and wrongful death lawyers at Abels & Annes offer free and confidential appointments to discuss your rights. Call (866) 99-ABELS. There is no fee unless you win.