Why Ban
Unsafe.
Numerous studies have shown that red light cameras actually increase accidents at intersections – or they merely trade off one type of accident (side) for another (rear-end). Claims that red light cameras reduce accidents are often based on inconclusive studies or those funded by the red light camera companies.
Unnecessary.
The vast majority of red light camera violations are issued for improper right turns on red. Many of these “violations” would not have been ticketed by a police officer, were he or she on the scene. Moreover, right turns on red have a negligible impact on accident levels, so no one is being made safer by these cameras – just poorer.
Unwanted.
There was no great demand from the people of Illinois for the adoption of the special law that allowed municipalities to put up red light cameras. There was, however, a great demand by the red light camera companies, who expressed their interests through campaign cash and high-priced lobbyists.
