Red-light cameras coming to Roselle intersections

Drivers cruising through Roselle should read up on the rules of the road. Because early next month, blowing a red light could cost them $100.

Roselle is joining the ranks of more than 50 Chicago-area communities that are installing red-light cameras at busy intersections.

The first will go up at Gary Avenue and Lake Street in early August. Motorists will be ticketed for failing to make a complete stop before turning right on red or for heading straight or left through the intersection after the light has turned red.

The intersection was chosen after Lombard-based RedSpeed Illinois conducted traffic studies and found more than 100 violations at Lake and Gary during a 12-hour period.

Roselle Sgt. John Lawson said other cameras will be installed at the intersections of Roselle Road and the Elgin-O'Hare Expressway and at Plum Grove and Nerge roads. Since both intersections are in Cook County, Roselle officials are waiting for the county to approve camera permits before installation dates are set, Lawson said.

The fine for all offenses will be $100, and they won't affect driving records or insurance fees. RedSpeed Illinois spokeswoman Debra Beerup said that is because state law only allows photos to be taken of license plates, not drivers.

"So these are treated like parking tickets, essentially," she said.

But the cameras, which don't go live until the light turns red, won't simply snap scofflaws and dole out tickets. All captured violations will be reviewed and approved by Roselle police personnel before any citations are mailed to the vehicle's registered owner.

To help residents avoid tickets altogether, the village is starting an awareness campaign that includes information on its Web site at roselle.il.us. Officials also will display posters at key Roselle locations and run a public service announcement on the village's local cable channel.

In addition, only warnings will be issued for the first two weeks after the camera at Gary and Lake is operational.

Roselle Mayor Gayle Smolinski said the village has received little resident feedback so far. Those who have commented have been divided on the value of the cameras.

"Of course, we had the few people who did the toss off that it's all about revenue," Smolinski said. "But the important thing is that about 85 percent of the accidents that happen at these intersections are not Roselle residents, yet their taxes have to pay for the police officers' time to deal with these accidents. So why not use technology to prevent this?"

Smolinski said that, ultimately, revenue is a factor because it will help the police department work more effectively within its budget.

"We only have so much money, and we need to make sure we are using police officers in a way to be most beneficial to our residents," she said. "So if this can have them on the streets patrolling neighborhoods, this makes all the sense in the world to us."