crap.

I wish I was shocked, but these things are cash cows.....I can see people salivating over the estimated numbers that these things will bring in....what things you say?

Red Light Cameras.

From the Daily Herald

Traffic light cameras are up and running in Lake in the Hills, and Algonquin will probably be next. The Algonquin intersections to get cameras are Randall Road and Bunker Hill Drive, Randall and Algonquin roads, and routes 31 and 62.

Instant money makers, especially at those intersections. It's like winning the lottery almost. The only problem is, that despite the claims that red light cameras decrease accidents (side impact) they also generally increase smaller accidents (rear end) due to people slamming on their brakes.

UTI research paper:

The results do not support the conventional wisdom expressed in recent literature and popular press that red light cameras reduce accidents. For example, McGee and Eccles (2003) conclude in their review that, “Most of the various studies and analyses show . . . reductions in angle crashes, with some showing smaller increases in rear-end crashes.” Our findings are more pessimistic, finding no change in angle accidents and large increases in rear-end crashes and many other types of crashes relative to other intersections.

Do I think people should be running red lights? Of course not, don't be stupid. However, I think this is equal to pouring cough syrup on a broken leg....it just doesn't address the real problem. For example, what about increasing the yellow light duration? Or how about having police actually patrol the intersections in question? Anything...I mean anything aside from handing over traffic management to a 3rd party company with a vested self interest in getting as many tickets put through as possible (they operate on commission) and a desk bound cop with a rubber stamp for a signature.

About the only thing missing here is somebody telling me it's for the children and 9/11....so I can vomit in my mouth a little.