Many people work minimum wage jobs, including college graduates. One red light camera violation can cost more than one day's pay. After taxes it can be almost two days' pay. This often forces people to have to choose between paying rent, buying food or gas, or paying for a ticket that could cost $100 or more.
Additionally, many traffic lights fail to allow adequate time for vehicles to clear the intersection. This leads to drivers being forced to either speed through to attempt to beat the red light, or dangerously slam on their brakes to avoid entering the intersection on the yellow light.
The government needs to make red light cameras illegal. This is one of the Chicago area's worst regressive taxes, and burdens the poor in particular. Some people of all income levels need to drive to work, and cannot take public transportation. Chicago area motorists (and motorists across the country) shouldn't be bilked like this, at the additional cost of safety.
Why is this important?
Most of the money from red light cameras go to the camera companies. Yet another private company should not be getting rich off of the poor. At $100 a ticket this regressive tax should not be happening. We should find other ways to make money for our cities instead of forcing people to choose sometimes between a need and a ticket.
