Apprehensive about getting a Camera Traffic Light ticket? You have one chance

Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy said that the Police Department is processing tickets from the traffic cameras at 151st and LaGrange and Harlem Avenues, but that no fines will be assessed. At least for now.

"We're only going to issue warning tickets for now," McCarthy said. "It will take time to get them processed."

The time delays in processing traffic camera tickets are notoriously slow in most municipalities. But for now, you'll get a warning, which should be taken seriously. Chances are those who get the warnings probably have the bad turning and red-light habits. So, if you get one, make a mental note to make that full stop at the light, before turning. And, that means you will probably keep doing it if you don't pay attention now.

So be thankful the first citations will be warnings. (And if you get one, email me and tell me what happened.)

The actual tickets are not scheduled to begin possibly for another month, McCarthy said.

It shows government compassion and sometimes there isn't enough of that going around.

-- Ray Hanania
www.RadioChicagoland.com

Traffic cameras intended for pedestrian security and egregious violators, Chief McCarthy explains

Orland Park Police Chief Tim McCarthy said he is fully behind the idea of placing cameras at 151st and Harlem and Lagrange Roads, not to concentrate on soft-right turn drivers but mainly to insure there is security for pedestrians and to nail motorists who frequently blow through the red lights. (Click here to read the previous story?)

Another target includes motorists on 151st and LaGrange Road who are making left hand turns and who try to sneak through the red light after it changes behind cars that are waiting for the light to change. It's caused a lot of accidents.

McCarthy also said that Orland Park is supporting the lights at 159th and Harlem which were placed there by Tinley Park and are monitoring those. But no plans are in place for other traffic cameras. Yet.

McCarthy emphasized that making a soft right turn on the red light is illegal, "but that's not our main reason for putting in the cameras." In Bolingbrook and other communities, the majority of the citations have been given to cars making the right turn at lights that didn't fully stop. McCarthy hopes the cameras will help drive home the need for drivers to be more cautious. To obey the laws -- all the laws. And be more observant of pedestrians.

There is no need to rush folks.

-- Ray Hanania
www.RadioChicagoland.com

Sign of the times: Orland Park joins traffic camera revenue club

Sign of the Times
Orland Park joins traffic camera revenue club













































They passed the ordinance months ago but the first traffic light cameras were installed during the past week, one at 151st Street and Harlem Avenue and another at 151st Street and LaGrange Road. The LaGrange Road camera faces south, catching catches heading south on LaGrange Road as they speed through lights or, more likely, making soft stop right turns into ticket violations.

























Want to know what other's are experiencing with these menacing monitors?

The Protagnonist Blog

MSNBC Report on the Bolingbrook fiasco.

We called chief McCarthy to double check on how these cameras will be used. Will they be used to hammer drivers who make soft right hand turns on to 15st Street -- the west side of LaGrange Road include a neighborhood that is lower incomed -- or will they be used to monitor cars that shoot through red lights?

We'll post the chief's response as soon as we can connect with him. He is very accessible as a community leader and official.

Yikes!

-- Ray Hanania
http://www.radiochicagoland.com/