New red-light camera in E. Dundee

East Dundee today activates a new red-light camera at Route 25 and Route 72, the intersection the police chief dubbed the busiest in town.

Authorities have posted the camera on the western portion of the intersection, and for the first 28 days it will issue only warning notices to red-light runners.

The $100 tickets start Feb. 28, and because they’re seen as civil violations they will not count against your license, Chief Terry Mee said. East Dundee will pay RedSpeed Illinois a $1,499 fee each month to lease and maintain the red-light camera and its equipment, Mee said, adding that the village gets to keep a portion of the money generated from the tickets.

“There is no doubt that certainly there is a revenue stream involved (in getting the cameras), but it’s also a safety issue,” Mee said. “We believe that’s going to result in a reduction of accidents.”

There were 50 accidents in 2010 at the intersection also known as “Dundee and Main” and none were fatal, Mee said.

Since late 2009, East Dundee has had one other red-light camera in operation — at Route 68 and Route 72.

In 2009, Mee said there were 24 accidents at that intersection. A year later, there were just 14. But it’s impossible to tell whether the cameras are responsible for the reduction, Mee said.

“I don’t think we can say that,” he said.

Notices and tickets won’t get sent out until an East Dundee officer reviews the footage and determines a violation occurred. The citation will then be mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.

For more information about the red-light cameras or to view frequently asked questions, visit www.eastdundee.net