Ill. Senate Passes Red Light Camera Legislation

Legislation designed to reduce the high rate of automobile accidents caused by red light violations recently passed the Illinois Senate.

Senate Bill 2159 permits municipalities and counties to install red light cameras that are connected to the traffic signal and to sensors buried in the pavement. A vehicle passing over the sensor after the light has turned red triggers the camera. Only the rear portion of the vehicle where the license plate is displayed is photographed.

“Red light cameras have proven to be effective in reducing the number of red light violations,” Laura Kotelman, counsel for the National Association of Independent Insurers (NAII), commented. “We support the use of red light cameras because they save lives and reduce the number of accidents.”

Red light violations are the most frequent cause of intersection collisions in urban crashes. Each year, more than one million motor vehicle collisions occur at traffic signals, resulting in more than 500,000 injuries and over 1,000 fatalities.

“Deaths due to red light running have increased in recent years nationally, and Illinois ranks 16th in the country. Currently 15 states use red light cameras to enhance traffic safety and reduce accidents,” Kotelman added.