Red Light Violators Gone Too Far

More and more cities are using red-light cameras. Aurora is now opting to join cities such as St. Charles and Geneva in using these cameras made by Redflex Traffic Systems. The goal for these cameras is to help crack down on drivers that run red lights. The cities of St. Charles and Geneva have signed five year contacts with Redflex Traffic Systems.

Each camera costs $4,395 a month. Aurora’s proposed fine for a red-light violation is currently $75. For every ticket a $4.80 fee is given to Redflex Traffic System. It is said that this plan was proposed nearly a year ago for about twenty city intersections in Aurora. Police are worried that the city may not profit from these cameras. However, Geneva has found that based on a 12 hour Redflex survey at one intersection, the city could generate $50,000 a year per camera with a fine of $100 per violation. St. Charles and Geneva find that with their fine price and an estimated forty to fifty violations, they can cover monthly costs. The only downside of the camera process is the analysis of the camera footage to determine red-light violations. It is expected to take two hours each day. Even though the cameras will cost the city more money and it will be time-consuming to find violators, the police believe it is all worth it to try and stop the violations.