Red Light Cameras: North Center Intersections Dishing the Most Tickets

The results of a red-light camera system audit are showing where drivers are being slammed with the most tickets, with one North Center intersection dishing out some of the least in Chicago.

The audit was requested in February because of questions posed by area alderman; 32nd Ward Ald. Scott Waguespack, included. They wanted proof that the Australian company Redflex Traffic Systems Inc. and Chicago installed the devices to improve traffic safety rather than to create a source of revenue.

It turns out auditors with the Chicago Inspector General’s Office were "unable to substantiate its claims that the city chose to install the red-light cameras at intersections with the highest angle crash rates in order to complete safety."

The results of the audit have some concerned, considering more than $493,000 in fines were issued in 2012 by the Western Avenue and Addison Street camera alone. But that's a far cry behind the camera at Cicero and Interstate 55 with nearly $2 million in fines last year.

Here are the top 10 spots: 

The findings also note that the city is spending about 55 percent of camera set's purchase price on annual maintenance expenses. 

"The city cannot effectively manage its programs unless it measures its programs," said Inspector General Joe Ferguson in the audit. "In addition to finding that the city cannot prove RLC installation locations are based on safety considerations, we discovered a striking lack of basic record keeping and analysis for this $70 million program."

Of the 190 intersections with red-light cameras in Chicago, the rest of North Center's cameras rank as the following:

The full audit, including the IG's recommendations, is attached to this story as a PDF. It can also be found online. 

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