Trustee wants review of East Dundee red-light camera

The T-intersection at Routes 68 and 72 in East Dundee is not an appropriate place for a red-light camera, says a village trustee who wants the village to consider relocating it.

Trustee Michael Ruffulo says residents are complaining of traffic backups along Route 68 because drivers are reluctant to make a right turn against the red light onto westbound Route 72. Ruffulo and other members of the village's public safety committee will discuss the issue at 5:30 p.m. Monday at village hall.

"I am not against red light cameras, but that intersection is not the place for a red-light camera," Ruffulo said. "We should have it at an intersection where people are actually running red lights. The village could move the camera over to Route 25 and 72 where there is much more traffic."

The village is already planning to install cameras for southbound traffic on Route 25 and westbound traffic on Route 72 at that intersection. Ruffulo said cameras could be installed to monitor the intersection from other directions, too.

But Police Chief Terry Mee said the Route 68 and 72 location was selected after studies by red-light camera supplier RedSpeed showed a sufficient number of violations to warrant the equipment.

"These were things that were approved by the village board," Mee said.

Additionally, Mee reminded drivers that the law regarding right turns on a red light has not changed despite the installation of cameras. Unless a sign posted at the intersection states no right turn on red, then drivers may proceed to turn right after stopping.

The red-light camera at Routes 68 and 72 was installed in August. After a 30-day warning period, the village started issuing violations on Sept. 12. Mee said it is too early to determine the number of violations that have been issued since then.