By John Dempsey, WLS-AM News
(CHICAGO) A new report says Chicago suburbs are making millions of dollars on red light cameras, even though many of the tickets were handed out to drivers who apparently legally turned right on red.
A joint investigation by the ABC 7 I-Team and Chicago Sun-Times found dozens of angry drivers at court hearings, and even several red light camera insiders, who said
the vast majority of tickets are handed out to people who turn right on red. The I-Team found some of those people came to a complete stop.
Driver John Tyler told the I-Team’s Jason Knowles , “I think it’s bogus. They’re just trying to make money off of everyone.”
The report found that the Chicago based red light camera company SafeSpeed has more than 20 suburban clients. The company admits that it’s cameras sometimes click when people stop, before turning right.
The company admits 80 percent of tickets it issues are for right on red violations, even though a 2010 federal study shows right hand turns were responsible for only 1.2% of accidents nationwide.
The I-Team Sun Times report found that Berwyn made the most money in the suburbs from red light tickets last year, $8.5 million, followed by Melrose Park with $8.3 million and Hillside with $8 million.
See the ABC 7 I-Team story here:
http://abc7chicago.com/news/wrong-on-red-red-light-cameras-rake-in-revenue-for-suburbs/2024820/
