Cameras get the green light in Naperville

Naperville will move forward with installing red light cameras at several intersections next year, though some councilmen believe more dangerous intersections should have been selected.

The city council narrowly approved by a 5-4 vote Tuesday an ordinance to implement its new camera system to catch drivers who run red lights.

The plan calls for four intersections under the city's jurisdiction to be among those where cameras may be placed in the early stages of the program -- 95th Street and Book Road, Aurora Avenue and Washington Street, Chicago Avenue and Washington Street and Aurora Avenue and Fort Hill Drive. Two of them will be selected to test the program.

In September, the city council approved a $1 million three-year contract with Maryland-based Traffipax to install eight cameras at four intersections. The city hopes to eventually equip 10 to 15 intersections with cameras.

Councilman James Boyajian said using cameras to catch traffic scofflaws is about safety, not money.

"There's not a single one of these intersections listed where any one of us can't go there and see two cars going through on red, making an illegal turn, blocking traffic up because you've got to wait for somebody else to clear the intersection," he said. "This is the kind of thing will cure that … because people will learn the behavior that is illegal."

But several councilmen including Doug Krause said while he's in favor of the cameras, there are more dangerous intersections at which to install them, namely those along Route 59.

City staff said they plan to eventually add cameras at some of these intersections but because the county and state control them, doing so would require at least three months to get the proper permits. By starting on a smaller scale with city-controlled intersections, they can at least get the program up and running, staff said.

Another concern some councilmen expressed was that drivers who pull ahead of the white line to turn right on red would be ticketed.

"I don't think we have a problem with right-on-red accidents to the extent that we want to have an unmanned designation that there's been a violation," Councilman Robert Fieseler said. "I think it's a gotcha toward our drivers."

However, police Chief David Dial said the city does not intend to ticket motorists who turn right on red as long as they stop first. The exception would be if there is a pedestrian or bicyclist in the intersection.

Red light cameras will be activated in January and violation notices will be issued to motorists disobeying red light laws beginning in February. Violators will receive a $100 ticket to be paid within 30 days of receiving the notice. They will also have the option of challenging the fine in court.