[il-talk] Resolution Calling for Equal and Liberal Distribution of Red Light and Speed Cameras Throughout the City of Chicago, in the Interest of Pedestrian Safety

[Kelly Pierce]

I agree that automated law enforcement of traffic laws could have a
profound benefit on the safety of blind people. Unfortunately, in
Chicago, this technology has been mis-used. Let’s work with Active
Trans to insist that the program be redirected to rightfully be used
as a tool for increased pedestrian safety. They have a campaign now
that does this.  Let’s ad our voice for safer streets instead of an
isolated proposal that does not emphasize reducing pedestrian traffic
crashes.  I am a member of Active Trans and leaders there would
welcome our support of their efforts and affiliation.

I also question the timing.  This resolution is weeks before an
election for Chicago Mayor where red light and speed cameras have been
a key issue.  If the feeling is that politics are not a part of the
NFB proposal, then the resolution should wait until after the
election.  Releasing this before the election simply supports Mayor
Emanuel’s campaign.

Kelly




On 3/24/15, Robert A. Hansen <hansen.robert70 at gmail.com> wrote:
> You made some valid points concerning the cameras Kelly.  We need to sit
> down with the Active Trans organization to discuss with them these issues.
> Maybe they need to made aware of the potential need for the cameras.  I
> don't want to get into the discussion of the other issues at hand.
>
> I know WZRD Radio has a few Active Trans public service announcements in the
>
> psa book that get read.  Their website is www.activetrans.org .
>
> Robert
>
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Kelly Pierce via il-talk
> Sent: Tuesday, March 24, 2015 3:18 PM
> To: Steven Hastalis ; NFB of Illinois Mailing List
> Subject: Re: [il-talk] Resolution Calling for Equal and Liberal Distribution
>
> of Red Light and Speed Cameras Throughout the City of Chicago, in the
> Interest of Pedestrian Safety
>
> Steve,
>
> Have you worked with the Active Transportation Alliance on this issue?
> An article appears in today’s paper on red light cameras and their
> support.  The organization also suggests that a commission be
> appointed to review and recommend changes in Chicago’s red light
> camera program.  The series in the Chicago Tribune showed that the
> city has no methodology as to where to locate the cameras.
> Intersections with high numbers of traffic violations are skipped
> while others with few traffic crashes have them.  In addition,
> lengthening yellow lights would prevent many crashes.  Rahm Emanuel
> refuses to lengthen yellow lights as many cities have done.  His
> transportation commissioner is not aware of leading studies on the
> topic and asked the Tribune for a copy of the study about which they
> were questioning her.
>
> In Chicago the red light cameras are about generating money for a cash
> obsessed city government.  Protecting the public safety is only a
> secondary benefit to the politicians.
>
> The Tribune series clearly shows this to be a money grab.
>
> Kelly
>
>
>
>
> On 3/23/15, Steven Hastalis via il-talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
>> Resolution Calling for Equal and Liberal Distribution of Red Light and
>> Speed
>> Cameras Throughout the City of Chicago, in the Interest of Pedestrian
>> Safety
>>
>> WHEREAS, recent political discourse has included vigorous debate
>> regarding
>> proposed elimination of red light and speed cameras; and
>>
>> WHEREAS, traffic safety is particularly important to blind pedestrians,
>> as
>> they walk along and across Chicago's streets; and
>>
>> WHEREAS, blind people listen to perpendicular, turning and parallel
>> traffic;
>> and
>>
>> WHEREAS, blind people use the movement of parallel traffic as the primary
>> cue to cross streets safely; and
>>
>> WHEREAS, blind people have observed increasingly ambiguous traffic
>> patterns
>> in intersections after cameras have been removed; now, therefore,
>>
>> BE IT RESOLVED:' by the National Federation of the Blind of Illinois,
>> Chicago Chapter, in meeting assembled, this 21st day of March, 2015, in
>> the
>> City of Chicago Illinois, that this Organization call for equal and
>> liberal
>> distribution of red light and speed cameras throughout the city of
>> Chicago;
>> and
>>
>> BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED:' that this Organization call upon public
>> officials
>> to consult the blind community on all matters pertaining to traffic and
>> pedestrian safety.
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