Round Lake Beach may install traffic cams

Traffic scofflaws may soon be on camera in Round Lake Beach.

Village officials said they hired RedSpeed Illinois to perform traffic studies to determine if red-light cameras should be installed at busy intersections in the village.

Police Chief Doug Larsson said the move is not designed to boost revenue through ticketing, but to reduce accidents and increase safety.

"I'd like to see all the towns do this," Larsson said. "Honestly, I expect to see a lot of tickets after the cameras are installed, then see it reduce along with the amount of accidents."

Village Administrator David Kilbane said nine intersections will be studied.

They are Lotus Road and Rollins Road, Nicole Drive and Rollins, Orchard Lane and Rollins, East End and Rollins, Mallard Creek Drive and Rollins, Hook Drive and Rollins, Cedar Lake Road and Clarendon Drive, Route 83 and Millstone Drive, and Route 83 and Monaville Road.

Surveyors will be at those intersections over the next six months to count the number of cars and accidents, Kilbane said. That data will be reviewed to determine what intersections should get a camera.

"No decision has been made where to put them up at this point," he said. "We are just trying to determine if this is right for the village and where they should go if needed."

There will be no cost to the village until the study is completed and cameras are purchased, Kilbane said.

Round Lake Beach is one in a handful of Lake County communities -- including Gurnee, Lake Zurich, Buffalo Grove and Kildeer -- studying the issue.

Other towns throughout the region are reviewing the cameras as well.

Buffalo Grove Police Chief Steven Balinski, who heads the Lake County Police Chiefs Association, said in addition to reducing the number of people who run red lights, cameras free up officers who would normally be situated in major intersections to deter traffic scofflaws.

"I'm in favor of any type of innovative measure to support roadway safety and reduce the amount of accidents at intersections," Balinski said.

Kildeer plans to install a camera at Rand and Quentin roads this fall. It is projected to generate about $300,000 in yearly revenue for the village.

"This particular intersection has a lot of accidents that occur," Village President Alan Stefaniak said. "It will give the village an opportunity to apprehend violators and make that intersection safer, without endangering the motorist or the police officers."

But Larsson said the cameras are more than money -- they save lives.

"It really gives us a good look and a great warning that this is a dangerous intersection," he said. "Also, because of signage, it tells motorists this is a place where they should slow down and be careful."