Red Light Camera Program

The City of Des Plaines has implemented a Red Light Photo Enforcement Program at the intersection of Golf and Rand Roads. Two cameras have been placed at the intersection; one westbound and one eastbound. The primary objective of the program is to provide 24-hour automated intersection enforcement and increase traffic safety by reducing accidents resulting from red-light running violations.

Review the statistical analysis(PDF, 1MB) for the cameras posted at Golf & Rand Roads.

Statistics indicate red-light running is the leading cause of urban auto accidents. Motorists and pedestrians are more likely to be injured severely in accidents involving failure to obey traffic controls than in any other type of accident.

Motorists that receive a traffic citation through the Red Light Photo Enforcement Program can view video and pay their ticket online at: secure.redlightviolations.com. Motorists also have the right to contest the ticket at a hearing.

The hearing system is a local method to judge municipal violations as opposed to going through the County court process.

Courtroom Procedures/Information

Why are you here?

A vehicle registered to your name has been recorded by an automated traffic enforcement system in violation of the City of Des Plaines Ordinance #f\/I-9-08; Title 7; Chapter 12 as allowed by Senate Bill 9835 (Automated Traffic Enforcement System).

What's constitutes a Red Light Violation?

You have received a notice in the mail for failing to stop at a red light or for failing to come to a complete stop when making a legal right turn on red.

As stated in the Illinois Vehicle Code. Section 11·306. Section C: "vehicular traffic facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if there is no such stop line, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no such crosswalk, then before entering the intersection, and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown."

Additionally, Illinois Rules of the Road. Chapter 10 - Traffic Signals and Pavement Markings reads:

Red Light: Stop at the marked stop line. If there is not a marked stop line, stop before entering the crosswalk. If there is no crosswalk, stop before entering the intersection. Do not go until the light is green and the intersection is clear.

You may make a right turn at a red light. You may also make a left turn at a red light when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street that has traffic moving to the left. In both instances, drivers must come to a complete stop and yield the right-of-way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians before turning.

Will the violation impact my record?

Violation of the City of Des Plaines' Ordinance #M-9-08; Title 7; Chapter 12 constitutes a civil offense and does not impact your insurance or your driving record. However, if you have accumulated 5 unpaid or uncontested Final Determinations of Liability, the City of Des Plaines shall petition the Secretary of State to suspend your driving privileges.

Failure to pay any fines due to the City of Des Plaines will result in additional enforcement activities, including assessment by a collection agency and immobilization of your vehicle.

Which defenses are allowed?

  1. The operator of the vehicle was issued a uniform traffic citation by a police officer for the same incident;
  2. The violation occurred at any time during which the vehicle or its license plate was reported to a law enforcement agency as having been stolen and the vehicle or license plate had not been recovered by the owner at the time of the alleged violation;
  3. The vehicle was leased to another party and within sixty (60) calendar days after the citation was mailed to the owner, the owner submitted a written affidavit with the correct name and address of the lessee of the vehicle identified on the notice at the time of the violation, together with a copy of the lease agreement;
  4. The vehicle was an authorized emergency vehicle or was a vehicle lawfully participating in a funeral procession;
  5. The responded was not the registered owner or lessee of the cited vehicle at the time of violation.

If you were issued a uniform traffic citation by a police officer for the same incident, the uniform traffic citation may not be challenged on the basis of the hearing options listed above. If you were issued two violations for the same incident, Contest Option 1 listed above may only be used as a basis to contest the violation listed on this notice.

A "No Turn On Red" sign does not need to be posted in order to receive a violation. It's not whether a sign was posted or not, it's whether you came to a complete stop before safely entering the intersection to turn right.

If you have any questions regarding the Red Light Photo Enforcement Program call toll-free 877-868-7939. Hours of operation 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

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