(Thanks to www.stpetecameras.org for the link!)

http://www.myfoxchicago.com/dpp/news/opinion/bob-sirott-one-more-thing-red-light-cameras-20110830

Bob Sirott's One More Thing about Red Light Cameras
Updated: Tuesday, 30 Aug 2011, 8:31 PM CDT
Published : Tuesday, 30 Aug 2011, 8:31 PM CDT

By Bob Sirott, FOX Chicago News

Chicago - One more thing about red light cameras.

Los Angeles, Houston, and Sioux Falls, S.D., are among more than a dozen cities and nine states that have recently turned off those revenue generating traps. Some suburbs around here have banned red light cameras, but unfortunately there's no indication this trend will spread to the City of Chicago.

I'm all for stopping people who run red lights, but many drivers get nervous and speed up or slam on the brakes because of the cameras.

Most of the tickets are issued for rolling "right on red" turns. If you don't come to a complete stop -- "Smile, you've just lost a hundred dollars."

And don't even think about fighting the ticket. That's the other problem. It's almost impossible to challenge the findings -- you're guilty until proven innocent. And because of the court costs they lay on you, it makes no sense to even try to plead your case.

There's no cop involved who can use discretion and, for example, consider that because of slick road conditions it was safer to speed through the intersection instead of slamming on the brakes.

I tried telling that to the so-called "hearing officer." It didn't work. And is it just me or are the yellow lights quicker than they used to be in the city?

Five hundred municipalities still use red light cameras. Proponents say they make our streets safer.

I say -- prove it.

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