Carol Stream activates new red light cameras

Carol Stream activated its two newest red-light cameras Monday at the intersection of North and Gary avenues.

The village approved plans for the cameras in 2007 but waited until Monday to activate them to give REDFLEX Traffic Systems time to get permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation to use them along the state route.

The village installed a single camera last year along North Avenue at Kuhn Road.

This time, the village has installed two cameras that will monitor both sides of the street and also will include right-turn violations.

Officials said the intersection was selected based on a traffic study that showed frequent red-light violations at the site.

Village Manager Joseph Breinig said the village videotaped traffic at Gary and North before deciding to install the red-light cameras there.

He said many of the tickets that have been issued over the past year at the Kuhn Road intersection have been for motorists going much faster than the 45 mph speed limit to get through the light.

Police Chief Kevin Orr said two cameras are necessary at Gary and North because of the volume of traffic. He said authorities also need to focus on right-turn violations because of the way the street is angled.

"If you don't stop where you're supposed to, you could potentially get up to where you're almost in the north and southbound lanes of Gary," he said.

The police department will have a 14-day warning period through July 27 and then begin issuing citations July 28. Citations will be mailed to violators, who will be required to pay a $100 fine within 21 days or request a hearing at village hall.