Editorial: Reform, Don't Ban, Red Light Camera Programs

Chicago Sun-Times Editorial Board writes in favor of reforming red light camera programs in Illinois, rather than ending them altogether:

Rather than a ban, the cameras should be limited to carefully chosen sites where they can provide clear-cut safety benefits. And no government official, company executive or sales rep should get a cut of the money every time a red-light camera is installed or issues a ticket. That’s an invitation to corruption.

The editorial board is responding to a movement in Illinois to ban red light cameras, currently manifesting as bills by two state legislators.

Planetizen has covered the general issue of red light cameras on numerous occasions in the past, and research precedent is available to inform an opinion on the subject:

• Red Light Cameras [Planetizen Tag]
• The Case For and Against Red Light Cameras [August 2015]
• Disabling Red Light Cameras Increases Traffic Fatalities [July 2016]
• Chicago Settles Red Light Camera Lawsuit for $37.5 Million [July 2017]
• Red Light Cameras Decline While Pedestrians Killed by Red Light Runners Increase [August 2018]