First Des Plaines red-light cameras coming Sept. 27

Des Plaines' first red-light cameras will become operational at the intersection of Golf and Rand roads starting Monday, Sept. 27.

Violators will have a 30-day grace period ending Oct. 26, during which they will only receive warning notices. The police department won't begin issuing tickets until Oct. 27.

Two cameras will be placed at the Golf/Rand intersection facing westbound and eastbound traffic.

"The primary objective of the program is to provide 24-hour automated intersection enforcement and increase traffic safety by reducing accidents resulting from red-light-running violations," Des Plaines Deputy Police Chief Angela Burton said.

The public is invited to learn more about the Red Light Photo Enforcement Program in a meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 23, in the City Council chambers at city hall, 1420 Miner St.

A representative from RedSpeed Illinois, the city's red-light camera vendor, will answer questions and explain how the program will work.

"We spent a substantial amount of time evaluating information and comparing both the technology and services provided by a number of red-light vendors," Burton said. "We wanted to be absolutely certain we made the best choice on behalf of our residents."

Videos of potential violations are reviewed by a specially-trained Des Plaines police officer before notices are sent to the vehicle's registered owner. A red-light camera violation does not impact driving records or insurance rates as it is considered a civil offense.

Violators who receive citations by mail would be referred to the website RedlightViolations.com where they can review the still and video images of their violation.

The vehicle's registered owner has the right to contest a citation through the city's administrative hearing process, which allows a municipality to judge municipal violations locally rather than go through the county courts system.

Motorists will not receive a violation if:

• They enter the intersection on a green or yellow light which turns red before they complete their left turn;

• They come to a complete stop and then proceed forward to gain a better sight distance before turning right;

• They come to a complete stop after the stop bar (unless they force a pedestrian or biker from the crosswalk).

For more information, visit desplaines.org/redlight.