Dump cameras, ban talking while driving

I previously wrote a letter to the editor of this paper, praising them for their investigative series about red-light cameras called "Seeing Red." The conclusion, which I agree with, is that those cameras installed specifically for detecting a right turn on red without stopping are more about revenue for the towns that have them, rather than about safety.

I expected to see some letters from officials of the towns that have these cameras, blasting my views and insisting the cameras are there strictly for public safety.

So far, no responses, no nothing.

The silence is deafening.

The silence also speaks volumes to confirm my views, that the cameras really are a quick and easy money grab for the towns that have them.

Since you folks won't 'fess up, today I will even offer you a face-saving way out:

1. Remove the cameras. You don't need to explain why, and we the people will forgive you.

2. Make a law in your town under home rule that makes it illegal to talk on a cell phone while driving.

3. Make the fine a $100 ticket per violation.

4. Put police officers on the streets (where they belong instead of in front of a video monitor) and aggressively enforce this law.

5. Watch the revenue flow in and your street traffic become safer at the same time.

Oh yes, some cell phone addicts will become absolutely furious over this. But I'll bet you will get more thanks and support for this new law than you will ever hope to get for those troublesome cameras.

Brent Jessee

Hoffman Estates