Carol Stream gets red light camera

Red-light runners beware: Carol Stream police have an eye on you.

Starting today, a new camera at the intersection of North Avenue and Kuhn Road will capture traffic light scofflaws - and send a photo of the infraction to police.

A study of the village's major intersections showed that more drivers ran the red light at North and Kuhn than in any other spot. And they specifically did so when they were driving east, acting Police Chief Kevin Orr said.

Just one camera will be installed at the intersection - targeting that eastbound traffic. As far as police and the camera are concerned, a violation happens when a vehicle enters the intersection after the light turns red.

For the first two weeks, through Dec. 25, warnings automatically will be issued to violators with no fines attached. They'll receive what looks like a ticket, but it will clearly say "warning," Orr said.

On Dec. 26, though, the camera goes into active mode, issuing citations carrying $100 fines that must be paid in 21 days.

Orr said they'll look at the number of violators caught on camera over a period of time to gauge whether it's having the desired effect and reducing the number of people who fail to stop for the light. They'll also measure whether the average number of accidents there decreases.

In the past three years, there were 57 accidents at that intersection, Orr said.

Carol Stream is one of a number of communities turning to red-light cameras as a way of enforcement. West Chicago installed the cameras at the intersection of North Avenue and Route 59 earlier this year and Naperville is in the process of doing so at Route 59 and North Aurora Road.