Eye in the sky
Driving habits hard to break despite red-light cameras
Daniel Ruano
Issue date: 3/8/10 Section: News
See a flash? No, it's not paparazzi. Last year, the City of Chicago upped its revenue and claimed to have increased safety by installing cameras at intersections where red lights are most commonly ran. Fines for running a red light are a solid $100 and for DePaul commuters, that is a hefty price tag.
"It's a pain," said Andrew Martinez, a senior in the School of Commerce. "I never use to worry about them until I got caught by one. Now every time the light turns yellow I slam on the brakes. I don't play with that."
That's basically what the cameras are supposed to do. The city is trying to change the way Chicagoans drive. Instead of accelerating when a light turns yellow, they promote reduction of speed.
"I feel like I always drive in fear," said senior Dan Zabala, laughing.
"Every time I see a yellow [light] I get scared if I'm going to make it or not. I'm always scanning around for them. It's not like I plan to run the light but when I see one I know to be extra careful," he said.
With DePaul's large commuter population, many are affected by the installation of these cameras. There is no definitive timeline of how long the cameras plan to stay, but drivers better get use to them. The City of Chicago relocates cameras when statistics show that intersections have improved.
"[We're relocating cameras] to intersections where they would have the most positive effect on traffic safety," said Peter Scales, spokesman for the City's Office of Budget and Management. "We're comfortable with moving some of these cameras because accidents are down at those intersections covered by red-light cameras."
Not only do DePaul commuters fear the watchful eye of these cameras, but they also have to worry about where the cameras may be located.
The intersections are equipped with sensors that trigger cameras in the midst of the following four violations.
The first is the obvious, drive through a red light. If your vehicle is not in the intersection before the light turns red, the cameras will flash and catch you running the light.
The second is the hardest for drivers to adapt to, it's turning right on a red light without making a complete stop. Most drivers roll to the intersection and then accelerate off the turn but that is where they get caught. Drivers must remember to make a complete stop prior to reaching the intersection before proceeding to make the turn on red.
The third violation is less common among drivers who respect the rules of the road. If the sign says "No Turn on Red," guess what? Don't turn on red.
The last violation goes hand in hand with the first; if your vehicle is not inside the intersection before the light turns yellow, you are not making that left turn legally.
Not to worry, there are no sensors inside the intersection and cameras do not take pictures if you are caught inside the intersection when the light turns red.
For updates or more information on red light camera locations visit www.photoenforced.com/chicago.
Here is a list of the nearest and most prominent red light camera-enforced intersections in and near Lincoln Park:
• Clark and Fullerton
• Fullerton and Ashland
• Halsted and Belmont (Wrigleyville)
• Halsted and Division (Old Town)
• Fullerton and Damen
• Western and Fullerton (Bucktown)
• Western and Armitage (Bucktown)
• Belmont and Sheridan Rd.
"It's a pain," said Andrew Martinez, a senior in the School of Commerce. "I never use to worry about them until I got caught by one. Now every time the light turns yellow I slam on the brakes. I don't play with that."
That's basically what the cameras are supposed to do. The city is trying to change the way Chicagoans drive. Instead of accelerating when a light turns yellow, they promote reduction of speed.
"I feel like I always drive in fear," said senior Dan Zabala, laughing.
"Every time I see a yellow [light] I get scared if I'm going to make it or not. I'm always scanning around for them. It's not like I plan to run the light but when I see one I know to be extra careful," he said.
With DePaul's large commuter population, many are affected by the installation of these cameras. There is no definitive timeline of how long the cameras plan to stay, but drivers better get use to them. The City of Chicago relocates cameras when statistics show that intersections have improved.
"[We're relocating cameras] to intersections where they would have the most positive effect on traffic safety," said Peter Scales, spokesman for the City's Office of Budget and Management. "We're comfortable with moving some of these cameras because accidents are down at those intersections covered by red-light cameras."
Not only do DePaul commuters fear the watchful eye of these cameras, but they also have to worry about where the cameras may be located.
The intersections are equipped with sensors that trigger cameras in the midst of the following four violations.
The first is the obvious, drive through a red light. If your vehicle is not in the intersection before the light turns red, the cameras will flash and catch you running the light.
The second is the hardest for drivers to adapt to, it's turning right on a red light without making a complete stop. Most drivers roll to the intersection and then accelerate off the turn but that is where they get caught. Drivers must remember to make a complete stop prior to reaching the intersection before proceeding to make the turn on red.
The third violation is less common among drivers who respect the rules of the road. If the sign says "No Turn on Red," guess what? Don't turn on red.
The last violation goes hand in hand with the first; if your vehicle is not inside the intersection before the light turns yellow, you are not making that left turn legally.
Not to worry, there are no sensors inside the intersection and cameras do not take pictures if you are caught inside the intersection when the light turns red.
For updates or more information on red light camera locations visit www.photoenforced.com/chicago.
Here is a list of the nearest and most prominent red light camera-enforced intersections in and near Lincoln Park:
• Clark and Fullerton
• Fullerton and Ashland
• Halsted and Belmont (Wrigleyville)
• Halsted and Division (Old Town)
• Fullerton and Damen
• Western and Fullerton (Bucktown)
• Western and Armitage (Bucktown)
• Belmont and Sheridan Rd.
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