Red Light Cameras

In a recent chicagotribune.com article, several facts about red-light cameras were presented and explained.

If you drive in Illinois, you may want to be familiar with how they work, and how red-light cameras are used to enforce traffic laws.

1. Red-light systems use magnetic sensors embedded in the pavement leading up to the intersection. By measuring vehicle movement, these sensors determine whether or not the photo enforcement cameras should begin recording. There are no sensors past the stop line, which means that, if you are beyond the stop line when the light changes, the camera will not be activated.


2. In Illinois, red-light violations are the responsibility of the vehicle's registered owner, regardless of who is driving at the time of the infraction.


3. Red-light violations do not affect your driving record or insurance rates. However, failure to pay could result in a suspension of your drivers license.


4. Illinois law prohibits red-light cameras from taking pictures of a driver's face, which is why all cameras in the state capture only photos or videos of the rear of vehicles.


5. Saturday is the busiest red-light violation day in Chicago and surrounding suburbs, with about 30,000 potential violations occurring on an average weekend.


6. The success of the red-light enforcement program is likely behind a bill under consideration in the state senate to allow photo enforcement for speeding violations.