Smart Cameras Blog

A few communities have limited the use of red light cameras. One strategy to removing cameras is to threaten area merchants and businesses that their business will be reduced, because people do not want to visit areas with red light cameras.

This was part of the decisionmaking for Schaumburg, IL, when visitors complained about red light tickets and said they were not going to visit Woodfield Mall. The city then shut down its red light camera program. Check out the work of the local activists for more detail:

“During this period, the Village received about 50 negative phone calls, letters, and e-mails. Many angry out-of-towners threatened to boycott Schaumburg as a shopping, dining, and entertainment destination.” Via Daily Herald.

In Heath, Ohio there are claims that businesses are adversely affected with the new speed camera tickets, via thenewspaper.

Goodwin said Heath had set up traps with the most productive camera placed in such a way as to snare out-of-town visitors as they enter the city on route 79. The camera is difficult to see on a curve where the speed limit suddenly drops from 50 MPH to 35. She believes this has already had a negative impact on the city.

“Many businesses are seeing fewer customers in their stores and less traffic on 79 due to the cameras,” Goodwin said. “Customers have called and told businesses they will not be back unless the cameras come down. We believe the voters will come out and support the issue to ban the cameras.”

So instead arguing over public safety, citizens can point out that they will not patronize businesses near red light cameras. This may push cities to more carefully consider the use of red light cameras.

rshah Red Light Cameras