This may seem like an unusual subject, but you will see my interest. You could sum up my entire blogging career with one thought. Government should be limited. If unchecked it will consume every national and personal resource.
For background, I made a legal right turn on red, but I did not completely stop at the white line. This infraction was caught on camera. The Illinois law says you should stop and then “creep” forward. I guess you would also be guilty if you hopped or jumped forward. Here is my letter to the mayor:
Mayor Pradel –
I attended the administrative hearing for red light tickets Saturday. I don’t know the best word to describe it – pathetic, disgraceful, or shameful. The city did well by raking in over $10,000 in one sunny afternoon. Imagine the number of people who just paid the fine by mail. I watched every video and it was clear that no one jeopardized safety, no one ran a red light. All were guilty of not coming to a complete stop at the white line. Even though the Hearing Officer compared the infraction to a parking ticket, the fine is $100.
I broke the law at Ogden and Aurora. I go through this intersection 10 times a day or more. It is the closest intersection to my house. I buy gas at Speedway, I rent cars at Enterprise, I use the Post Office, I will be seeing my dentist (Dr Lakota) Tuesday, his office is next to Jewell where I buy groceries. The car I was driving was purchased new at Gerald Nissan just north of the light (you could see it in the video). In the 15 years of my residency I would estimate I have been through that intersection over 25,000 times. I have purchased State Farm Auto Insurance for 37 years and have never had an accident. You could send me to bankruptcy if you fined me for every time I failed to completely stop at that white line.
I was initially in favor of the red light cameras. Many traffic fatalities are caused by someone running a red light. The government has turned a valid safety issue into a cash register. I should have known the government would abuse their authority to get more money. Throughout this recession I have said that government is not in economic crisis. They will not be in crisis until the citizens are out of money.
This is not a safety issue. I’ve read the stats about how red light cameras have reduced accidents, injuries, etc. I don’t trust those stats. I think $4 per gallon gas had more to do with reduced traffic patterns than cameras. Hopefully, the council will honestly debate those questions.
You voted for this system. Maybe, like me, you see it was a mistake. Many towns are taking these cameras down. I ask you to do the same.
I will quietly pay my fine if you will lead the council to remove these abusive instruments. If not, I will take the following steps:
- Stop purchasing products/services in Naperville and encourage others to do the same.
- Inform the businesses at the Ogden/Aurora intersection of this decision and enlist their support.
- Create a blog and further promote the issue through social media.
- Vote against the politicians who maintain support of red light cameras.
This is a small issue but it’s reflective of a larger one. This country was founded on the principle of limited government. If you are willing to film citizens at red lights, what is next? I have always read about local politics and voted, but now I will be more active. It is clear why the tea party movement is growing.
You have been a wonderful Mayor through the years. I hope you will do the right thing. I welcome your response and thanks for listening.
Tags: big government, red light camera
Bill, have you received a response from the mayor in the form of any direct communication?
Have not. I did hear from several aldermen. All want the cameras gone except one. Hardly a day goes by that there are not local newspaper articles slamming the practice. Oh, I got another one the other day. Same thing, legally turning right on red. This time I crossed into the shoulder as I turned. I should be hung at noon!