Lift turn-on-red law to fix the problem

The solution to red light camera shortcomings is so simple: return to the no-turn-on-red law. That will drastically cut the greedy revenue source for municipalities. It will satisfy the safety concerns as it will cut down even more accidents as drivers must come to a complete stop until a green light.

The law was passed in Illinois in 1973. Gee; how did we get along with no-turn-on-red for a hundred years of driving before that? Why did we change? We know the answer to that: California, of course, was the first to adopt RTOR in 1947. And, you know, the rest of the country always follows California's lead eventually!

The cameras could remain to catch the arrogant folks who breeze through them, but will not punish the casual citizens who will now, grudgingly, have to stop until the light is green and who may have not stopped completely under the right-turn-on-red law and got a ticket. And then, because of the drastic drop in ticket revenue, cameras may be removed because maintenance costs may exceed the ticket revenue.

Of course, restoring the old law would never be considered as we are such a dynamic and selfish society that we must have every convenience to get through our harried lives! So what if a few fatalities occur because of abuses - "Get me to the Church on time"!

Dave Souders

Arlington Heights