Lisle poised to put cameras at intersections

Lisle Mayor Joseph Broda understands the need for cameras at some of the village's busiest intersections.

While riding in Lisle's 50th anniversary parade last year, his vehicle was almost struck broadside by a car that blew the stop light at Ogden and Yackley avenues.

"A lot of people run the red lights and cut it close," he said.

The village board approved an agreement with RedSpeed-Illinois this week that it hopes will reduce such disobedience -- and the number of accidents -- by using cameras to catch violators.

"I think it's going to increase safety because there are a lot of accidents from people running red lights," Broda said.

Members of the Lisle Police Department identified five intersections that may get the cameras: Route 53 and Maple Avenue; Route 53 and Warrenville Road; Ogden and Yackley avenues; College Road and Maple Avenue; and Naperville and Warrenville roads.

Cameras could be up within 90 days, Sgt. Ron Wilke said, and they could be at more than just those five intersections.

The system works by detecting violations using a freestanding camera and in-ground sensors. Police review the pictures before RedSpeed mails a $100 citation. The village leases the equipment and shares the revenue from citations with RedSpeed.

Last year, there were more than 60 accidents at the village's most dangerous intersection at Route 53 and Maple Avenue.

While Wilke couldn't say how many were related to disobeying traffic signals, he said the number of accidents throughout the village is generally up.

In addition to reducing accidents in Lisle, police say neighboring communities may see an improvement as well.

"Our hope is if they slow down and pay attention to the red lights and become more concerned motorists that it will continue as they go into other communities as well," Wilke said.