Upset and concerned about the current rhetoric and plans on red light/speed cameras

Had some free time at work, found a list of Alderpeople that support it and emailed all them.

Found the list here: http://www.citizenstoabolishredlightcameras.com/candidates-pledge.html 
Emailed that group too, why not - chicagocoalitionforchange@gmail.com

Chicago City Council Members who have signed a pledge to rid of the cameras. 

Bob Fioretti 2nd
Pat Dowell 3rd
Leslie Hairston 5th
Roderick Sawyer 6th
Anthony Beale 9th
Toni Fowlkes 16th

Emails: 

service@6thwardchicago.com

2ndwarddemorg@gmail.com

ward03@cityofchicago.org

LHairston@cityofchicago.org

ward09@cityofchicago.org

Toni.Foulkes@cityofchicago.org

My email to all them:

Subject: Support for Keeping and Improving Red Light/Speed Cameras

As a person who walks and bikes in Chicago, I want to express my concern your support to have red-light and speed cameras gone. 

I feel incredibly safer on our city streets and sidewalks (and studies back up that I should) with these cameras around. This is one of the few things the city government has done recently that I love, please don't take this away from us. 

Not only for the "people should follow the law" reasoning (if you break the law there should be consequences) but also I know that if I am hit my a driver while on my bike or when walking across the street (both things that have happened to me), one of these cameras is likely to capture the collision. 

There are better measures to improve the system and reduce monetary fines than just get rid of them.

Please, please, stop your support getting rid of these. It makes our city better and safer.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Kris Hendry on March 22, 2015 at 2:35pm

What about adding scofflaw bikers as adding to the traffic carnage? This past winter, I've seen some deplorable moves by hipsters on fixie bikes. Blowing red lights with the infamous, "Idaho stop", swerving in the bike lane (possible intoxicated), no reflective vest or lights, ect.......The city of Chicago seems having a yellow light under the 3 second Federal rule is legal? I paid 2 tickets (200 bucks) for this illegal action in my environmentally friendly Honda Civic.

Permalink Reply by Jason on March 22, 2015 at 3:00pm

Im a driver.

Like most drivers...I got a ticket or two when the cameras first popped up...

...then I learned to drive with them. 

No big deal....keep the cameras. 

Its an easy way to make money off of these idiots that cant stop at the lights.

Permalink Reply by Kris Hendry on March 22, 2015 at 3:15pm

Jason, but it's against the law having a shortened yellow light. Red light cameras have shown in INCREASE in rear end collisions. They are not helping anyone but the city's coffers.

Permalink Reply by Jordan M S on March 23, 2015 at 1:40am
If, for instance, existing crosswalk laws were enforced, I'm sure there'd be a few more rear end collisions also. Idiots have trouble adapting. Drive carefully and slowly and you won't be ticketed. And you probably won't kill anyone.
Punishing law - breakers, especially those that make the roads more dangerous (as well as destroy the planet, etc.) is a great place to collect money from. If the money is going to the wrong place or part of Rahm's nefariousness, then that's a different issue. Removing cameras on day one isn't a solution.
Permalink Reply by Anne Alt on March 24, 2015 at 8:14am

"If, for instance, existing crosswalk laws were enforced, I'm sure there'd be a few more rear end collisions also. Idiots have trouble adapting. Drive carefully and slowly and you won't be ticketed. And you probably won't kill anyone."

Yep.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on March 24, 2015 at 8:55am
Idiots have trouble adapting and understanding many things in life. If the way you implement a system in the management of the city that is unfair and not even-handed the issue is just that. Fairness; the current red light system is unfair and must be REDONE.
Permalink Reply by Jordan M S on March 24, 2015 at 9:07am
I don't understand what's unfair. Is it the below-norm yellow light duration? I won't argue that that's not shady, but I will say I haven't had a problem with yellow light times (and that's on a bike) and it still doesn't demand the removal of the camera system.
Permalink Reply by Renee Patten on March 24, 2015 at 9:11am

I watched a recent Last Week Tonight segment and now feel bad about my support of the cameras because it shows municipal and traffic violations are unjust. I still support the cameras just not the system behind them. 

Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0UjpmT5noto

Permalink Reply by Jeremy on March 24, 2015 at 10:50am

As I was watching that on Sunday, I was having the same thoughts.  However, I feel the real problem addressed in that piece is the punitive fines that come with not paying on time, not the original costs of the violations.

The companies mentioned are charging usurious rates with the expressed permission of governments.  This is further evidence of the problem of governments being complicit with the outsourcing of public services.

Saturday night, I tried crossing Ashland at one of the crosswalks that wasn't at a stop light, and not one car stopped.  Granted, it would have been more dangerous for them to stop than for me to wait to cross, but if the city is going to make laws, it needs to buck up and enforce the laws.  If people can't afford to pay the fines, they shouldn't break the law.

We aren't talking about obscure city codes.  There has been too much publicity about red light cameras and crosswalk priority (and using a hand held phone while driving) for people to claim they are not aware of the law.

Permalink Reply by Tom A.K. on March 24, 2015 at 9:13am
Redone, to comply with federal standards and to be fair and even-handed.
Permalink Reply by Jordan M S on March 24, 2015 at 9:30am
So make yellow lights longer, right? The motorist groups and politicians pandering to the "hard working" drivers of chicago seem to be coming from a different place. Also, i stick by the fact that the lights are fine, and everything I'm reading claims chicago yellow lights are too short only because of de facto speed limits (ie everyone speeding).
Permalink Reply by Renee Patten on March 24, 2015 at 9:44am

Riding around I tend to think that yellows could be longer for people that are biking too.

On Divvy or at wide intersections, I have had it where I can't make it through the intersection before the yellow turns red, even if I enter on a green. 

Maybe having longer yellows would be a solution that would help drivers experience less fines and help people who bike out as well?

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