Cameras could save lives and money

I am responding to your March 4 editorial regarding red light cameras. Red light cameras are a tremendous safety enhancement since they do what no other program can: they hold drivers accountable for running red lights 24 hours a day without putting people or drivers at risk for death or injury.

Elk Grove has experienced several horrific accidents due to drivers running red lights. Among many red light related accidents, we had a mother killed and her daughter seriously injured on Busse Road when a driver illegally drove through a red light and plowed into their vehicle. We have also had several bicycle riders seriously injured when drivers ignored red lights and hit the unprotected bicycle riders.

We certainly believe that driver-accountability due to red light cameras would have prevented these terrible accidents, and we owe it to the community to improve the safety of our intersections.

Stationing police officers at intersections as suggested by the editors is simply impractical. Municipalities do not have enough police officers to watch for red light violators 24 hours a day, seven days a week like a camera can do. During our studies, we found some intersections have as many as 174 red light violations in a 12-hour period. It is impossible and unsafe for police to try to cite all of these violators; however, the camera can do so.

Elk Grove is committed to the safety of our residents, visitors, and those traveling through our community via the red light program. To be up front, Elk Grove has repeatedly identified the locations where the cameras will be installed. We are initiating an extensive public education program to make people aware of the need to stop on red. Before issuing citations from red light cameras, we will have a several-week trial period when we notify violators that they improperly traversed a red light.

As a final thought, if a driver wants to avoid a fine for driving through a red light, all they have to do is the safe thing: stop.

Mayor Craig Johnson

Elk Grove Village