Ill. law will crack down on red light cameras

SPRINGFIELD -- A new Illinois law adds the human touch to traffic tickets generated by automated "red light" cameras.

The law requires an official to verify the violation before any citation is issued. Drivers also will be allowed to view the evidence online, and they can't be charged an extra fee for contesting the ticket.

The law gives drivers a little more leeway to stop beyond the white line at a red light, so long as they don't enter the intersection. Previously, even pulling past the line by a few feet could trigger a ticket.

Gov. Pat Quinn signed the measure into law Friday. It takes effect Jan. 1.