[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

[Denise Avant]

Hello all,
As I stated at the Chicago chapter meeting, we need not debate the politics of the red light cameras. We can leave that for other organizations.  I have my views on this, and others have opposing views.
However,  if safety is the reason for the red light camera, then as a blindness advocacy organization, we need to weigh in on whether to keep them and where they are placed. If safety is the reason, then these cameras should  be spread throughout the city. As a blind person, I  need to safely cross streets on the south and west sides as well as on the north side.

Denise R. Avant
President, National Federation Of The Blind Of Illinois
Live the life you want



> On Mar 24, 2015, at 4:38 PM, Patti S. Gregory-Chang Esq via il-talk <il-talk at nfbnet.org> wrote:
> 
> Can we leave off our political opinions and keep to blindness issues on the topic of red light cameras.  Otherwise we are likely to be debating politics forever.  Thanks.  
> 
> I think that red light cameras can help make pedestrians safe so I am in favor of our participating in the discussion in any way possible without speaking to the political issues.  
> 
> 
> "Every day we raise the expectations of blind people in the National Federation of the Blind.  Live the Life You Want."
> 
> Patti Gregory Chang
> National Federation of the Blind of Illinois, Treasurer
> NFB Scholarship Committee Chair 
> pattischang at gmail.com
> NFB of IL: www.nfbofillinois.org
> NFB: www.nfb.org
> 
> On Mar 24, 2015, at 3:18 PM, Kelly Pierce via il-talk wrote:
> 
> 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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> 
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