Readers dish on the good, bad and ugly of surveillance cameras

What would I do without my In Transit readers? I ask for feedback and there you are.

This time, the issue was red-light cameras, the devices that deliver $100 tickets to unsuspecting motorists.

State lawmakers are currently considering tweaking the camera law, rather than banning the controversial technology or eliminating tickets for rolling right on red, the most common offense.

Here's what you had to say.

• Kevin Elmore of Crystal Lake says to eliminate the devices because they're dangerous. "Sometimes, it is safer to continue through a light on yellow, but at lights with the camera, when the light changes - watch out. Everyone tries to stop!"

• Frank Fink of Palatine is opposed to cameras on principle. But, assuming the technology is here to stay, "tweak the system," he says. "If revenue is truly not the motivation (though I believe it is) then just make a ticket for a 'rolling right turn' $10 and leave the cost for running a red light at $100 or even increase it."

• Remove the cameras, writes Larry Richter of Carol Stream. "They are nothing more than a money grab by weak politicians and the companies that promote them. The slamming on of brakes without notice is the most apparent safety hazard."

• And Tony Granahan of Grayslake suggests "rather than putting up red-light cameras at high-accident intersections, couldn't a community utilize signs that promote no right turns on red?"

• But Fritz von Heimburg of Elgin counters, "I would like to see the red-light cameras painted bright yellow, and then raise the fines to $200 for each infraction. For those who plead that the cameras cause more rear end crashes, I would respond, 'why are you going so fast into an intersection where you're going to turn right?'

When I approach a red-light camera intersection (and I know where they are as having done my homework), I don't try to beat the light. I slow down and come to a complete stop well in back of the line. I'm a little - no a lot - annoyed by the crybabies who want it their way so they won't lose 2 seconds of their travel time and placing everyone else in jeopardy by their driving actions."

• Terry Witt of Bartlett says "the single most important point to me is crosswalk integrity. Fix the problems with sound engineering, not legislation. As a bicyclist and pedestrian I cringe at intersections because I know cars will not see me and will not stop at the white line. They are looking for other cars, and when their line of sight is hindered, they coast to where they can see. I know, I am also a driver.

The camera solution certainly appears to be a money grab. The reason I believe local areas need to fix the issues is that they should be the ones looking at their intersections starting with the most dangerous. There are several No Right Turn signs available, such as when children or pedestrians are present. Look to see how the line of sight is from the stop point. Fix those line of sights. Paint crosswalk markings. Sign bike path and important pedestrian crossings."

• The last word goes to Michael Kennedy of Palatine. "I'm a firm believer red-light cameras are bogus. The foremost goal is revenue generation. Ideally, a system to monitor and penalize high-risk behavior - i.e. blowing straight through a red light - would be great.

I'm always put off by those who defend the enforcement of rolling rights because 'it's the law.' As I recall my social science, the law is part of the social contract wherein citizens give up a right, privilege, etc. to facilitate the safe and efficient conduct of society. There is nothing particularly sacred about the law. A bad law can and should be changed. Even 'good laws' need to be enforced rationally."

One more thingThe Illinois tollway's executive director search committee meets Tuesday, after interviewing five finalists earlier. It's been rumored the board could even vote on a new chief at its Thursday meeting. The leading candidate is said to be Gov. Pat Quinn's Chief of Staff for Economic Development Kristi LaFleur but others include RTA official Leanne Redden, Oak Lawn Trustee Jerry Hurckes, Pace Chairman Richard Kwasneski and former Massachusetts Turnpike Authority chief Matthew J. Amorello. Given that Amorello left his position under fire after the "Big Dig" tunnel project fiasco, I doubt he'll be the one. Still, you never know.