Ald. Burke: Red light cameras a 'money machine' [Chicago]

 

"Aldermen today questioned whether Chicago's red light cameras are making drivers safer or simply filling city coffers during debate on a measure that would offer traffic school for drivers whose violations are caught on film.

Only about 35,000 of the 790,000 drivers who got red light tickets last year requested a hearing to challenge the $100 fine, according to Scott Bruner, director of the city's Department of Administrative Hearings.

That prompted Ald. Ed Burke, 14th, wondered if the controversial cameras are having any deterrent effect.
"So I guess the myth that we apparently have held out that this is some kind of a great plan to create education and a plan to dissuade people from violating the law is more a myth than anything else," Burke said.

"It's a money machine, that's all. Period," he added."

(emphasis mine) read the rest of the article at http://newsblogs.chicagotribune.com/clout_st/2010/03/ald-bur...

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What's the world coming to?

squirrelproductions wrote:

"
"It's a money machine, that's all. Period," he added."

Good grief! An honest politician -- in Chicago, no less!

This is too much for me old heart!

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Cheap in Chicago-- Ticket in

Cheap in Chicago-- Ticket in So. Cal is like $400. Of course you can go to traffic School to keep it off your record-- if you qualify.

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What?

jwc3006 wrote:

Cheap in Chicago-- Ticket in So. Cal is like $400. Of course you can go to traffic School to keep it off your record-- if you qualify.

Does a camera violation go on your record in SoCal? I thought you just paid your money.

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It also goes on your record,

It also goes on your record, I believe. I don't know how many points, but people still run them everyday.

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If you're talking about Los

If you're talking about Los Angeles, it's $446.00. To get traffic school,

"You may be eligible to attend traffic school if you have not attended in the last 18 months. The nonrefundable bail amount is due plus the $39 traffic school fee."

The bail amount would be listed on your "Notice of Violation."

Just because Illinois is less than California, does not mean it's cheap. Illinois senators are currently trying to change the redlight camera laws. It depends on which senator you read about, but one will say redlight cameras should be banned. Another will say, if they're not banned, the fines should at least be reduced. They're even saying that right turns on red should not be a violation at all.

Illinois also has speed cameras. If you're caught speeding in a construction zone, the first offense is $375. The second, $1,000. So much for cheap.

Sad

It's sad when Ed Burke is one of Chicago's alderman that makes more sense. If he weren't so involved in the Daley machinery, he may actually be a Chicago politician I didn't despise. Chicago politics are a big reason why I can't ever see living closer to Chicago proper than just outside city limits.

Traffic Laws

I personally see nothing wrong with a city charging a fine for people who break the law. Drive carefully and you don't have to worry about a ticket. I've not had a ticket in thirty years. Maybe the cameras make a mistake every now and then, however there are plenty of idiots who disregard red lights and/or speed limits, and yes they kill plenty of innocent people. "The Man" should do whatever it takes to enforce our traffic laws, I could care less whether robots, cameras or aliens from out of space do it, JUST DO IT!

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jk

Red-light camera legislation coming to Illinois

This is a story out of The Daily Herald.

http://www.dailyherald.com/story/?id=365345&src=109

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If you don't know where you are going, you might wind up someplace else. - Yogi Berra

Here's one from the Chicago