After sixteen years of flashing warnings and snapping shots of red-light runners, the Village of Gurnee has decided to put an end to its Red-Light Photo Enforcement Program, as reported by ABC7 Chicago. The program, which began its mission in 2009 to cut down on traffic violations and promote safety, officially ceased operations on July 5 with the expiration of its contract with Redflex Traffic Systems, now known as Verra Mobility.
The Village points to a significant drop in traffic collisions as evidence that the program has served its purpose, with Gurnee Police Chief Brian Smith explaining, "This program was never about catching people, it was about protecting them," according to a statement obtained by Fox 32 Chicago. Crash data suggests a notable decrease from an annual average of 1,424 crashes before the cameras' installation to an average of 967 crashes per year afterward, a 32% reduction; this "halo effect" also brought about improved driver behavior across the board, not just where the cameras were installed.
Despite its initial success, the program hasn't been without its problems in recent years with officials citing inconsistent vendor support and maintenance issues, for example having to turn off the cameras amidst construction which, in essence, hindered their overall efficacy, which is another reason the village is now looking to other methods to further its traffic safety goals.
"It’s the beginning of a new chapter," said Police Chief Smith, and despite the fact that the physical cameras will be removed by early fall, officials assure the public that the Village will persist in its dedication to traffic safety initiatives, with any citations for violations that happened on or before July 5 still requiring resolution, and no new violations being processed post-shutdown, Gurnee remains serious about its commitment to the safety of its streets.
