Do red light cameras cause accidents in Illinois? It’s a controversial question, as many drivers find the cameras intrusive, while safety advocates believe they are effective tools for preventing accidents or, at a minimum, catching those who run red lights.
Do Red Light Cameras Actually Reduce Accidents?
Research suggests that red light cameras may reduce certain types of car accidents. One systematic review of existing studies found that red light cameras cut injury crashes by about 20 percent overall. The same review showed a 24 percent decrease in right-angle collisions and a 29 percent decline in right-angle crashes that resulted in injuries.
At the same time, the review found an increase of about 19 percent in rear-end collisions at intersections with cameras. Researchers believe this happens because drivers sometimes brake suddenly to avoid a ticket, which can cause another vehicle to strike them from behind. The results suggest that red light cameras can lower the risk of severe crashes but may also create different hazards.
Can Red Light Cameras Increase Certain Types of Accidents?
It’s plausible that red light cameras might increase specific types of crashes. When drivers notice a camera, they sometimes brake hard at the last second to avoid running the light. This reaction can cause vehicles behind them to collide if the following driver cannot stop in time. The increase in rear-end crashes when a red light camera is present has been measured at nearly 20 percent in some research. While these are often less severe than right-angle crashes, they can still result in property damage and injuries.
What Are the Legal Requirements for Red Light Cameras in Illinois?
In Illinois, the installation of red light cameras and how governments can use them to issue tickets are subject to strict rules at both the state and city levels. Keeping in mind that rules in individual cities and counties may vary, those regulations include:
Where and How Governments Can Place Red Light Cameras
- Eligible counties: Local agencies may install systems only in Cook, DuPage, Kane, Lake, Madison, McHenry, St. Clair, and Will counties.
- Site criteria: Cities and counties may only install red light cameras at intersections with a documented history of crashes tied to red-light running.
- Equipment: The signal hardware and sight distance must meet Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) standards.
- Process: Cities and counties wishing to install a red light camera must file a Justification Report with three years of crash data, traffic details, and concurrence letters from the roadway authority and police. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) reviews and may deny camera installations at locations that would impair traffic operations.
- Signage and limits: Local governments must post proper signs before each approach and inside the intersection.
Using Red Light Cameras to Issue Tickets
- Evidence package: What evidence governments collect and how they use it can vary. Chicago captures two still photos of suspected red light runners, a plate image, and a 12-second video. The system triggers only if the signal has been red for at least 0.3 seconds.
- Timing and review: Reviewers confirm the plate is legible, and two people verify the incident.
- No-ticket scenarios: Authorities do not issue tickets for complete, legal right-on-red turns, when a vehicle does not proceed even when it has the right-of-way, when an officer is directing traffic, during funeral processions, or when the stop line is unclear.
Injured in a Car Accident at a Red Light Camera Intersection? Contact Our Car Accident Attorneys Today
Crashes at red light camera intersections involve complex legal issues. Our Chicago car accident attorneys can help protect your rights as you seek fair compensation. Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard P.C. has recovered over $2.5 billion in compensation for our clients, and we’re not afraid to take on a city or county that contributed to an accident by installing a red light camera without following the proper legal protocols. Call now or complete our contact form for a free consultation with a red light camera car accident lawyer in Chicago.
