|
In an effort to
reduce collisions and make Village streets
safer, Carol Stream enhanced its new red
light camera enforcement program by
adding cameras at Gary and North Avenues.
The camera was activated on July 13, 2009.
There was a 14-day warning period from
July 13th - 27th.
After the 14-day warning period, citations
are now being sent to violators, who will then be
responsible for paying a $100 fine. The program is seen by Village
officials as an important step to improve
the safety and flow of local traffic.
|
|
|
The following are some frequently asked
questions you may have about red light
camera enforcement:
|
|
|
Why is the Village of Carol
Stream installing red light cameras?
|
Red light cameras are being installed to help
protect our community against the risks of red light
running crashes. Traffic safety is a top priority
for the Carol Stream Police Department. Red light running is a leading
cause of urban crashes and often causes injury and
death. Each year,
red light runners cause as many as 218,000 traffic
collisions in the United States. On average, more
than 180,000 people are injured and nearly 900
people are killed in these crashes. These injuries
and deaths cost the public some $14 billion
annually, according to the National Highway Traffic
Safety Administration. The agency says more than
half of the deaths are pedestrians and occupants of
other vehicles who are hit by red light violators.
Red light camera
enforcement is a proven traffic safety tool that
provides effective, continuous enforcement. Recent
studies on red light camera enforcement
conclude that cameras reduce personal injury
crashes by 30%.
|
What are the crash statistics
for Carol Stream's intersections?
|
The following table displays crash statistics from
2007 and 2008 at Carol Stream's red light camera
intersections. The data suggests a growing
frequency of personal injury crashes, at these intersections. Furthermore,
30% of the crashes at these intersections were due
to red light violations.
|
|
Personal Injury
|
Property Damage
|
Personal Injury
|
Property Damage
|
|
North Avenue (IL Rte. 64) @ Gary
Avenue
|
2 |
22 |
4 |
38
|
|
North Avenue (IL Rte. 64) @ Kuhn Road
|
0 |
6 |
5
|
15
|
Source: Carol
Stream Police Department
|
What is a red light violation?
|
Currently a violation of law occurs when a motorist enters
an intersection after the traffic signal has turned
red. Motorists
already in the intersection when the signal changes
to red, when waiting to turn left for example, are not
considered red light violators. Where a right turn
on red is permitted, the motorist must come to a
complete stop at the white stop bar, then may slowly
proceed forward and make the right turn when the way
is clear.
|
Where are red
light cameras located?
|
Cameras have been installed at two intersections
based on crash statistics and studies on the
frequency of red light violations. Each intersection
is
clearly marked with signs. The first intersections in
the Village that have been equipped with red light
camera systems are:
|
Why did I receive
a Notice of Violation?
|
Based upon images captured by the automated system,
your vehicle was determined to have committed a red
light violation. By law, as the owner of the
vehicle, you are responsible to pay the violation.
The Notice of Violation is mailed to you,
regardless of who
was driving the vehicle.
|
How do I pay a red
light violation?
|
The registered owner can pay the amount of the
civil penalty
($100)
by the due date (21 days from issuance) or request
an administrative hearing.
The
$100 civil penalty may be paid either by mail, using the
payment coupon included with the citation or by credit
card at www.photonotice.com.
Viable defenses to a citation
include: the vehicle was stolen, yielding right of way
to an emergency vehicle or the vehicle was part of a
funeral procession. Failure to pay the civil penalty by
the due date will result in an additional late fee, which
will be noted on the ticket.
|
How do I contest
the violation?
|
You have the right to contest the imposition of the
civil penalty by requesting, in writing, an
administrative adjudication hearing by the due date.
You must request an administrative adjudication
hearing by signing the form on the back of the
Notice of Violation and mailing it so that it is
received by the due date on the Notice. You will be
notified by the call center of the date and time of the
hearing, which will be held at the Carol Stream Village
Hall.
If you are found liable after the
administrative adjudication hearing or you request a
hearing but fail to appear, you can reschedule once with
a valid reason. If you are found liable
for the civil penalty after an administrative
adjudication hearing, you have 21 days to pay the civil
penalty, plus any applicable hearing costs. You may
also contest a violation by mail by following the
directions on the back of the Notice of Violation.
|
Will my insurance
rates be affected?
|
No, this is a civil infraction and is not reported
to any insurance agencies.
|
Who administers
the red light camera enforcement
program?
|
Carol Stream's red light camera enforcement program
will be administered by Redflex Traffic Systems,
Inc., who is currently contracted to provide similar
successful programs throughout the nation.
|
Is this only a
program to generate revenue?
|
This is a safety program currently enforced by
officers - automated alternative. Automated safety systems
have been shown to reduce red light violations and
intersection crashes. Numerous studies throughout
the United States and worldwide, as well as the
experience of many other cities, indicate
significant decreases in red light running
violations and collisions after cameras were
installed. Often times, a spill-over effect results
from automated enforcement. For example, other
intersections not monitored by automated enforcement
also see a decrease in violations and accidents
because of the presence of enforcement in other
areas of the community.
|
