Recent Streetsblog CHICAGO posts about speed cameras

A speed camera on North Avenue near Pulaski Road in Humboldt Park. Photo: John Greenfield

UIC Study: Speed cams save lives, but drivers from POC communities get more tickets

By John Greenfield | Jan 11, 2022 | No Comments

City officials say they plan to use the findings from the report to improve the program, and note that low-income residents will get a 50 percent discount on traffic tickets starting in March.

Bakery-fresh CDOT study reaffirms speed cameras are saving lives

By John Greenfield | Jan 6, 2022 | No Comments

The new report compared the changes in crash numbers near speed cameras and citywide between 2012-13 and 2018-2019 and confirmed that collision numbers have stayed relatively low near the cams.

A speed camera, left, on Ogden Avenue in Douglas Park. Photo: Steven Vance

Illinois Policy Institute runs a misleading article on Chicago’s 6 mph speed camera rule

By John Greenfield | Jan 4, 2022 | No Comments

The right-wing think tank plays up the program's revenue generation, downplays its safety benefits, and contains plenty of misleading statements and outright misinformation.

2022 Chicago budget passes including income-based fines, mental health funds

By John Greenfield | Oct 28, 2021 | No Comments

Reforms to the city's traffic fine structure should make it less regressive, and increased funding for mental health services could be a step in the right direction for improving transit safety.

Illustration: Rachel Duggan, Chicago Reader

Tribune: Many people were fined for 6+ MPH speeding, so that means the rule is unfair

By John Greenfield | Aug 26, 2021 | No Comments

The Tribune argues that speed camera tickets are an unjust imposition on drivers, and downplays the safety benefits of the cams, and the societal harm caused by traffic violence.

The aftermath of the crash that killed Cire Robinson, 12, last January at 49th and Cicero. Image: WGN

Archer Heights group: Traffic cams are needed to address traffic violence epidemic

By John Greenfield | Mar 5, 2021 | No Comments

"Looking the other way on speeding, or claiming that enforcing the speed limit is a cash grab, sends the message that deadly speeding is no big deal – and that our neighborhoods can be ignored."

New data shows Chicago’s speed cameras are effective in preventing traffic deaths

By John Greenfield | Mar 4, 2021 | No Comments

Fatal or serious injury crashes increased by 1 percent near speed cameras between 2012-13 and 2017-18, compared to a 19 percent increase citywide.

Speed camera sign near Challenger Park. Photo: John Greenfield

Deconstructing the Chicago Tribune’s speed camera backlash article

By John Greenfield | Mar 1, 2021 | No Comments

Projecting speed camera ticket revenue for a year based on the number of violations during first week of warnings made no sense.

A speed camera warning sign on Irving Park Road on the border of Lakeview and Uptown. Photo: John Greenfield

CDOT launches South and NW Side Vision Zero programs; 6 MPH speed tickets start Monday

By John Greenfield | Feb 26, 2021 | No Comments

The South Side Vision Zero initiative will include Englewood, West Englewood, Grand Boulevard and Washington Park. The West and Northwest side program includes Belmont-Cragin, Humboldt Park, and West Town.

Mural honoring Issac Martinez, 13, killed on his bike by an allegedly intoxicated driver last June in Ashburn. Photo: John Greenfield

Chicago traffic deaths were up 45% last year as speeding increased during COVID

By John Greenfield | Feb 9, 2021 | No Comments

Most of the increase was due to motorist deaths, but bicycle fatalities also spiked.

A speed camera location on Foster Avenue near Gompers Park. Photo: Steven Vance

City is now issuing warnings for 6 mph speed cam violations, $35 tickets after March 1

By John Greenfield | Jan 21, 2021 | No Comments

We'll have a chance to see whether the change in ticketing protocols helps reduce the serious crash rate, and also whether it has any negative equity impacts.

Load more stories