RED LIGHT Chicago’s cameras !

1. RED LIGHT Chicago’s cameras! A Legislative Action Plan to Discontinue Chicago’s Red Light Camera Program By Joe Roy joedroy@gmail.com

2. How red light cameras work • Red Light Cameras (RLCs) are connected to an intersection’s traffic light and sensors buried beneath the pavement before the white stop line • When a vehicle passes over the sensors after the light has turned red, the camera takes still photos and video of the vehicle’s rear, focusing on the license plate

3. Background Chicago’s Red Light Program began in 2003 with two cameras. TODAY…

4. …There are over 380 cameras at more than 190 intersections. http://www.photoenforced.com/us.html#.USeOtVo6V41

5. By the numbers Since 2003, these cameras have generated Chicago over $375 million in ticket revenue. Last year alone the city raked in $70 million dollars on red light tickets Chicago’s Red Light Program is now the largest in the nation. But are they actually effective beyond this revenue-generating function? http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/02/21/critics-chicago-red-light-cameras-cheat-on-yellow-lights/

6. City Crash data The City of Chicago claims that accidents are reduced at RLC intersections • The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released a study saying that RLCs saved 159 lives in the 14 largest U.S. cities from 2004to 2008. • The study claims that RLCs reduce t-bone accidents • CDOT bases its RLC placement on which intersections have the highest occurrence of t-bones http://www.seidmanlaw.net/Legal-Articles/Chicago-s-Red-Light-Cameras-Do-They-Curb-Intersection-Accidents.shtml

7. Mixed results • However, a 2010 CDOT study of 96 RLC intersections comparing the two years before installation and the two years following showed a less than 1% drop in total crashes • These results are consistent with UIC Professor Rajiv Shah’s research, which indicates that RLCs may actually increase accidents • A study of 39 RLC intersections from 2006-2007 revealed a 6% increase in accidents • While the City vigorously contests Shah’s findings, he points to an earlier study by the City that showed a mere 1.5% increase in safety between RLC and non-RLC intersections http://theexpiredmeter.com/2012/03/chicago-red-light-camera-study-shows-mixed-results/ http://theexpiredmeter.com/2010/06/local-professor-raising-hard-questions-about-chicagos-red-light-camera-program/

8. Shortened yellow lights = more tickets • Chicago has some of the shortest yellow lights in the country • 3 seconds, the absolute federal minimum for safety • Suburb Comparison: 4-4.5 seconds • Drivers hit the brakes sooner now, which can cause more accidents • Plus, even more tickets at RLC intersections http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/02/21/critics-chicago-red-light-cameras-cheat-on-yellow-lights/

9. Enforcement infrastructure

10. Citation process

11. RLC Violation defenses • The operator was issued a uniform traffic citation for a violation of §§ 9-8-020(c) or 9-16-030(c) (for purposes of red light camera violations issued pursuant to section 9-102-020 only); • The violation occurred when the vehicle or its state registration plates (license plates) were reported to a law enforcement agency as having been stolen, and the vehicle or its plates had not
been recovered by the owner at the time of the alleged violation; • The vehicle was an authorized emergency vehicle or was lawfully participating in a funeral procession; • The facts alleged in the violation notice are inconsistent or do not support a finding that the Chicago Municipal code was violated; • The respondent was not the owner of the cited vehicle at the time of the violation. http://www.cityofchicago.org/city/en/depts/fin/supp_info/revenue/parking_and_red-lightnoticeinformation5/red_light_cameraviolationdefenses.html

12. Contesting a ticket

13. How much? Tickets are generally $100 Failure to timely pay can result in a penalty equal to the ticket amount

14. Due process concerns • Defendants do not always have the ability to cross-examine their accuser in court because certifiable witnesses are not always available • The cameras do not always positively ID the driver, so the car owner is charged by default. • The chain of custody is attenuated: data moves electronically through the vendor chain to the city, with the potential for processing error increasing each step http://www.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2012/05/14/red-light-cameras-about-revenue-not-safety

15. The human element • Driving is a complex endeavor, undertook by humans • Unlike machines, police officers can make judgment calls • Were the roads wet? • Was the driver keeping up with traffic? • Was the driver reacting to a dangerous/reckless driver? • Machines cannot answer these questions • Where will it end? • The city already employs bus lane cameras and is moving forward with speeding cameras • Further public surveillance is only a matter of time http://www.nationalreview.com/articles/275510/big-brother-bloomberg-charlie-cooke

16. venue • Red light cameras are widely used and abused across the country, with the largest concentrations found in the Nation’s largest urban centers • This plan focuses on Chicago… with room to grow • Currently runs the Nation’s largest RLC Program • By starting local in the RLC epicenter, other cities may follow suit

17. Entry point:municipal code Chicago Municipal Code, § 9-102-020 Automated Traffic Law Enforcement System • “The registered owner of record of a vehicle is liable for a violation of this section and the fine set forth in § 9-100-020 when the vehicle is used in violation of § 9-8-020(c) [running a red light] or § 9-16-030(c) [making a right on red when prohibited] and a recorded image of the violation is recorded by an automated traffic law enforcement system”

18. Entry point:scandal! • On February 8, 2013 Mayor Emanuel announced the city is dropping its longtime RLC vendor, RedFlex Traffic Systems, Inc. • Recent investigations reveal thousands in kickbacks from the company to former transportation official John Bills • RedFlexsystematically courted Bills, providing him free trips to the Super Bowl, among other perks • Along with possible criminal allegations, the city is also auditing Redflex’s past and current financials for evidence of taxpayer defrauding http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2013-02-08/news/ct-met-chicago-red-light-investigation-0208-20130208_1_redflex-holdings-red-light-camera-redflex-contract

19. Striking while the iron is hot Now is the time to move into action Let’s repeal the RLC laws once and for all!

20. Policy paramours • IL State Senator Dan Duffy, 26th District • SB2466 in 2009– called for repeal of automated traffic laws • Bill died, but not before garnering 18 other co-sponsors • Alderman John Arena (Ward 45) and 23 others • Recently introduced a Resolution calling for a hearing on the process and criteria used for RLC site selection • Inquiry is whether RLCs have mainly increased safety or revenue • My alderman, Rey Cólon, along with many surrounding area aldermen, have all signed on as sponsors

21. Proposed solution • In lieu of this high profile scandal, people are talking seriously about doing away with the cameras once and for all • Evidence of the cameras’ ineffectiveness at increasing public safety should be presented at the public hearings • And our elected officials should hear, firsthand, the outcry from ordinary citizens over the RLCs • Given the timing, a bill like SB2466 could be successful

22. Stakeholders • Constituency Groups • Illinois Policy Institute • 2010: Brian Costintestified before IL Senate on RLC pros/cons • Cited at least 9 studies raising concern about RLC effectiveness • Mr. Costin & the Institute continues to question RLCs and supports the hearings • Cook County Campaign for Liberty • RLCs are “unsafe, unwanted, and unconstitutional” • Will be targeting “weakest” aldermen over next 3 years.

23. Stakeholders • Individuals/Small Groups • The Expired Meter • A website devoted to providing “news, views, [and] information on Driving in Chicago” • Obtains quantitative research through FOIA Requests • Stephen Hinton • Started online petitionto present to mayor once 10K signatures reached • There are currently 310 signatures, including my own • “I HATE Chicago red light cameras!!” FB page • Over 10K Likes and growing

24. Taking it to the streets • This plan is all about public support • The more our elected officials know how fed up we are with the cameras, the better • What better way to garner support than by calling awareness to the cameras themselves • Data is available on which intersections bring the city the most revenue • Demonstrations at these intersections would raise public awareness

25. Strength in numbers • Some states are already considering discontinuing their RLC programs • In FL, a bill revoking the RLCs is gaining speed in the legislature • The ban was advanced in a House committee last week in a 10-8 vote, pushing the bill to the full chamber • As of yesterday, the state senate is considering fixes to the system http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2013/02/22/states-local-governments-join-push-to-turn-off-red-light-cameras/ http://www.tampabay.com/news/politics/local/fixes-for-flawed-red-light-camera-law-are-underway-state-senator-says/1276663

26. Marketing/outreach • Volunteers can pass out stop sign pins directing people to the website • redlightchicagoscameras.wordpress.com • Solidarity with other stakeholders • Sign the petition • Support the constituency groups • Attend the hearing!

27. RED LIGHT Chicago’s cameras!