Palatine didn’t issue any red-light camera tickets during storm

Palatine has always been relatively judicious about issuing tickets for red-light camera violations, and last week’s storm was no different.

Police didn’t issue a single red-light camera ticket from midday Tuesday through Thursday morning, Assistant Village Manager Sam Trakas said.

Typically, the village cites an average of 40 percent of potential violators; officials have said cameras were installed at five intersections around the village in order to increase safety, not generate revenue.

Trakas said Palatine police personnel review images and video, then take weather into account when determining if a violation occurs. But all potential violations were reviewed on their own merits, he added, because it’s the driver’s responsibility to be in control of a vehicle during rain, snow and ice.

Palatine has more leeway than the Chicago when it comes to issuing red-light camera tickets because its system doesn’t automatically generate a ticket.