How traffic violation cameras work
Q. I've been reading about the red light cameras recently in your paper. Can you tell me more about how they work?
--R. J., Naperville
A. The automated traffic violation cameras are usually on their own freestanding poles just before each corner of an intersection. They're used to catch drivers entering an intersection after a light has turned red, or drivers who don't come to a full stop before turning right on red. The cameras won't record a car if it's entered the intersection prior to a light turning red, and they're only triggered on after the light's turned red by very accurate sensors in the pavement of the road.
One advantage of a red light camera ticket is that it's not considered a moving violation. It's more like a parking ticket. The violation won't show up on your Secretary of State driving record, and it won't affect your insurance rates.
"Drivers also get access to an online eight-second video clip showing the actual violation when they get their ticket in the mail," said Debra Beerup, Director of Marketing for RedSpeed Illinois, a manufacturer of the cameras and processor of the automated violation tickets.
The violation comes to a company like RedSpeed first, and they review every violation.
If it passes the panel's muster, they forward the violation to the local county or municipality for their own review.
If you do get a ticket, there are two options: you can contest the ticket by mail, or request an in-person hearing.
"The hearings are usually held twice a month in your local area by the county or municipality that issued the ticket," Beerup said.
A warning: If you contest the ticket by mail, the decision that's ultimately made by your local county or municipality is final.
Another caveat: Don't try to wiggle out of your ticket because you weren't the one driving the car.
"It's Illinois state law that automated traffic violations go to the registered owner of the vehicle," Beerup said.
"Our cameras only take pictures of the license plate."
Driving a rental car? You'll still get the ticket, because the fine print of the rental contract considers you the temporary owner of the vehicle.