Red-light cameras beg answers

Recently revealed accident statistics showed Schaumburg never had any significant red light running problems. Also, the Meacham & Woodfield Red Light Camera (RLC) intersection had zero accidents caused by red light running in 2008.

So why did the Village create a program to solve a problem which never existed?

At the July 14th Village Board meeting I asked some very basic questions to find out. Unfortunately, Mayor Larson and the Village Trustees refused to answer. Here are the questions I have for our Village officials in hopes they will.

Why was the RLC program put into place, even on a trial basis, if no red light running problem of any significance ever existed? Why did Schaumburg choose to place a camera at an intersection with zero red light running accidents? Did Village officials examine the statistics before voting on the RLC program?

Did Village officials consider the 9 scientific studies the Schaumburg Freedom Coalition presented at the September 23, 2008, Village Board Meeting showing RLC are ineffective and in many cases increase accidents? If not, then what studies or data did they use to justify the program?

With the program failing to produce any public safety benefits will the Village refund any of the fines to the 10,000+ motorists who received tickets? What will the Village do with the money received?

Village officials claim it "wasn't about the revenue," but the accident statistics and blatant refusal to answer basic questions about the implementation of this program strongly suggest otherwise.

Brian Costin

Schaumburg