Red Light Enforcement

 

Automated Red Light Camera Active at Randall and Acorn Lane

The Village of Lake in the Hills currently has an active automated red light enforcement camera at the intersection of Randall Road and Acorn Lane.  Effective January 18, 2008, any motorist who violates the traffic control devices at this location will receive a citation.

 

Red light running is one of the major causes of crashes, deaths, and injuries at signalized intersections. Most recent crash statistics show that nearly 1,000 Americans were killed and 176,000 were injured in 2003 due to red light running related crashes. The monetary impact of crashes to our society is approximately $14 billion annually.

 

A 2005 a U.S. Federal Highway Administration-funded study estimated total societal cost reductions from red light camera programs in seven U.S. cities to be over $14 million per year, or over $38,000 for each studied red light camera location.

 

“With the combination of public education, enforcement and assistance of the red light cameras, we hope to reduce the level of red light violations, severity and frequency of motor vehicle crashes and make traveling in Lake in the Hills safer for all of the motorists.”

 

 

Red Light Camera Frequently Asked Questions

Q.       Why is the Village installing a red light camera system?

A.      Red light camera enforcement is no longer an emerging technology but is a proven, well-established traffic safety tool that provides effective, continuous enforcement.  A 2005 review of red light camera studies around the world concluded that cameras reduce red light violations by 40–50 percent and reduce injury crashes by 25-30 percent.

 

Q.        How did the Village choose the location for the red light camera system?

 

A.        The Village researched various locations to implement red light camera enforcement.  High frequency accident locations within the Village were reviewed and red light violation analyses were completed.  The completed analysis at Randall Road and Acorn Lane indicated that the northbound direction of Randall Road at the Acorn Lane intersection has the factors to make it an appropriate location for the installation of the first red light camera system. 

Q.        What constitutes a red light violation?

A.      A red light running violation 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 or in the intersection waiting to turn are not considered red light violators.

Q.         What is the state law?

A.    (625ILCS5/11‑208.6) Sec. 11‑208.6, Automated traffic law enforcement system.

            Click here for full text

Q.         What is the local ordinance?

A.       Municipal Code Chapter 41 Traffic, 41.14 Automated Traffic Law Enforcement.

            Click here for full text

Q.         Why not use conventional police enforcement to catch red light runners? 

A.      Traditional enforcement tactics at an intersection with high traffic volumes creates a safety hazard when police chase violators through a red light. This puts the violator, other motorists, pedestrians, and the officer in danger.  The camera system also allows for enforcement 24 hours a day 365 days a year.  Posting a police officer at an intersection could only be done on a limited basis.

Q.       Do the cameras photograph every vehicle that passes through an intersection?

A.     No, the cameras are set so that only vehicles which enter an intersection after the light has turned red are photographed.  Drivers who enter on yellow and find themselves in an intersection when the light changes to red are not photographed. This technology is intended to catch vehicles driven by motorists who intentionally enter after the signal has turned red.

Q.        How does the camera system work?  

A.      The camera system takes a series of three images; sometimes there is a fourth image taken of longer vehicles such as buses or tractor-trailers.  The first image shows the vehicle before the white stop line with the red light illuminated.  The second image shows the license plate of the violator past the white stop line, and the third image shows the violator in the middle of the intersection with the red light illuminated.  Other relevant data, including the time, date, and duration of the yellow and red lights is also recorded.

Q.       Does the camera only take pictures when the light is red?

A.      Yes, the camera is activated and enforcement begins when the signal light turns red.  Once the signal light turns green, the system automatically turns off and enforcement ends.  The system is designed so that it can only capture an image during the red light phase.  It cannot take an image during a yellow or green light phase.  In other words, the camera system cannot take a picture unless and until the light facing the driver is red.  The system continuously monitors the traffic signal and allows for 24-hour enforcement.

Q.        How will I know if I have received a citation?

A.      Red light citations are sent Certified Mail to the registered owner of the vehicle within 30 days after the Secretary of State notifies the Village of the identity of the owner of the vehicle, but in no event later than 90 days after the violation.

Q.        What if the registered owner was not driving the car?

A.       According to Illinois State Law, the registered owner of the vehicle is responsible for the citation.

Q.        How do I appeal a red light citation?

A.      The appeal process is outlined in the Municipal Code, Chapter 41.14 Automated Traffic Law Enforcement.

            Click here for full text

Q.         Are there any special circumstances when you will not receive a citation?

A.       A citation will not be issued if it is determined the vehicle entered the intersection as part of a funeral procession or in order to yield the right-of-way to an emergency vehicle.  Also if it is determined that a Uniform Traffic Citation was issued by a Police Officer for the same violation of the law occurring at the same time and location, and Automated Traffic Law Violation citation shall not be issued.

Q.        Are violations reviewed by anyone prior to being issued? 

A.      Yes, a member of the Lake in the Hills Traffic Unit will review every violation prior to being issued to the registered owner.

Q.        How much is the fine?

A.      The fine is $100.00 per violation.  In the event the fine is not paid within 30 days after receiving a Violation Notice, the fine will increase to $200.00.

Q.        What happens if I don’t pay the fine and don’t go the hearings?

A.     If a person charged with a traffic violation, as a result of an automated traffic law enforcement system, does not pay or successfully contest the civil penalty resulting from that violation, the Secretary of State shall suspend the driving privileges of the registered owner of the vehicle under Section 6‑306.5 of this Code for failing to pay any fine or penalty due and owing as a result of 5 violations of the automated traffic law enforcement system.

Q.         Where can I get more information on red light cameras?

A.       Call the Lake in the Hills Traffic Unit with your questions at 847-658-5676 or go to the National Campaign to Stop Red Light Running at www.stopredlightrunning.com

 

 

 

Accident Avoidance

As an average driver, your chance of becoming involved in a traffic accident is 1 in 10 for a property damage accident, 1 in 20 for a injury accident, and 1 in 60 for a fatal accident. Drivers should maintain a proper interval between themselves and the vehicle in front of them. The old rule was a car length for every 10 miles per hour. A better way, is the 2 second rule. This is nothing more than picking a point on the highway. When the vehicle in front of you passes that point, you count: one-one thousand, two-one thousand and you should be passing the same point. If you are, then you are at a reasonable interval.

While driving, try to rotate your eyes. Move them from front to the side mirrors and rear-view mirror. Try not to concentrate your view to directly in front of the hood of your vehicle, look farther forward and anticipate actions by thinking about escape routes. Use your headlights, try to think to yourself, engine on, headlights on. It has been proven that the use of your headlights during the day has reduced head-on accidents by 25%. The use of headlights at all times does not place unnecessary wear and tear on your vehicles electrical system.

Do not drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Remember that even over-the-counter cold medications can affect your driving. Combine them with alcohol and you have a dangerous combination.

One of the most effective ways to reduce your probability of becoming, involved in a traffic accident is to simply slow down. Speed is usually a factor in most traffic accidents, especially in inclement weather. Some drivers have obtained vehicles with four-wheel drive, air-bags, anti-lock brakes and now feel they can drive anyway they want, as fast as they want. This is simply not true. Four-wheel or all-wheel drive will help get moving but it does nothing to help maintain steering control or stop. There is an old adage that four-wheel drive will only get you four times as stuck. Anti-lock brakes will help you stop without locking your wheels but on ice or wet pavement you still must realize that your braking distances will still increase. Air bags must be used in conjunction with seat-belts to truly be effective.

The Officers of the Lake in the Hills Police Department are working hard to prevent accidents and with your help as motor vehicle driver you can "arrive alive."

 

 

 

What We Can Do to Help

As with all police departments throughout the State of Illinois, the Lake in the Hills Police Department has the basic responsibility of investigating all traffic accidents, which occur with in its jurisdiction. By definition, a traffic accident is an unintended event, which involves at least one or more motor vehicles, injury or property damage of over $1,500.00. With the exception of weather emergencies, when the police are called an Officer will respond to the scene and take the report. Most traffic accident reports are relatively straight forward. The Officer will investigate and complete the report. If the situation warrants, the Officer may issue a traffic violation. Should the accident involve serious injury or death, the Officer on the scene has the capability of calling for one or more specialize traffic accident investigators. During weather emergencies, if you are involved in an accident and there is no injuries and the vehicles can be moved, you will be asked to proceed to the police station to complete the report.

The Lake in the Hills Police Department has on staff five trained traffic accident investigators. These officers are assigned to the traffic accident unit as a secondary assignment, which they accomplish in addition to their regular assigned patrol duties. The investigator assigned, as the particular situation warrants may simply review the report of the Officer on the scene and make specific follow-up suggestions or may actually come to the scene and assist in the investigation. The results of the investigation can be used in court, to identify, violations of law, accident prevention programs, creation of traffic laws and assist in highway engineering.

On average, there are 19,400,000 traffic accidents per year nationwide; of these, 44,000 involve fatalities and 5,200,000 involve injuries, with at total monetary, loss of $137,000,000,000.00. Drivers must understand that they are in control of a two-ton missile and the possible ramifications of their actions while driving.