Aurora prepares new red light cameras at Ogden and Eola

Motorists approaching the intersection of Ogden Avenue and Eola Road on Aurora's far east side this week may want to exercise extra caution.

City officials say recently installed red light enforcement cameras at the site will be activated Wednesday for a three-day test period, followed by a seven-day grace period beginning Saturday.

Police will begin issuing tickets on Jan. 15 for red-light violators caught by the cameras, Director of Public Information Dan Ferrelli said.

The cameras will record both eastbound and westbound traffic on Ogden.

Ferrelli said the intersection was chosen because it is one of the most dangerous in Aurora. There were 66 accidents there in 2009 — the highest number in the city — and 52 crashes through Nov. 30 of last year, which ranked third.

Cameras already are in use at four other Aurora intersections: New York Street and Farnsworth Avenue; New York and Commons Drive; Farnsworth and Molitor Road; and New York and Eola.

The cameras are designed to catch motorists entering the intersections after the light turns red. They record several still photographs and a 12-second video clip of suspected violations. An Aurora police officer reviews alleged offenses and, if they are legitimate violations, sends a notice to the vehicle's owner within 20 days of the infraction along with a $100 fine.

The owner has 30 days to either pay the fine or contest it through an administrative hearing judge.

The city issues citations for illegal right turns on red, but only if the motorist fails to come to a complete stop or is involved in a safety violation.

Ferrelli said the city issued 7,193 citations for red light violations in 2010.

The numbers tend to run higher when the cameras are introduced, he said, and then decline once the devices have been in operation for a few weeks.

More information on the city's red light enforcement program is available by clicking on the police department's tab on the city's website at www.aurora-il.org.