The Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) began a campaign today to educate Chicagoans about the use of automated speed enforcement (ASE) cameras to enforce the posted speed limits in Children’s Safety Zones later this year.

“Speed is one of the biggest determinants in whether an accident results in a serious injury or fatality, and reducing speeds to the posted limits will save lives,” said CDOT Commissioner Gabe Klein. “The Children’s Safety Zone Program protects children and other pedestrians by reminding motorists to slow down and obey speed laws – especially in school and park zones.” 

Chicago experiences roughly 3,000 crashes annually between motor vehicles and pedestrians, about 800 of which involve children.  A pedestrian hit by a car traveling 20 mph – the speed in a school zone – has a 95% chance of living.  That same person hit by a car traveling more than 40 mph has an 80% chance of dying.

CDOT launched a page on its website (www.chicagodot.org) that provides information on the program, including the camera test reports and a video that explains how the automated speed enforcement camera system works.  Later, the website will include a map of safety zones and cameras and quarterly reports that detail speeding, accident and ticket data.

The Children’s Safety Zones are designated as within 1/8th of a mile from Chicago parks or schools.  The speed cameras are one part of the “toolbox” of pedestrian enhancements and vehicle-speed-reduction measures that the City uses in safety zones. 

The City ordinance establishing the Children’s Safety Zone program substantially narrows the hours and locations of enforcement that are allowed under state law, and provides for the following:

• The enforcement hours will be limited from 7 am to 7 pm in safety zones around schools on school days (Monday through Friday); 7 am to 4 pm: 20 mph speed limit when children are present; 30 mph speed limit when no children are present; 4 pm to 7 pm: 30 mph speed limit

• The enforcement hours around parks will be limited to only those hours parks are open (typically 6am to 11pm, 7 days a week) with a 30 mph speed limit;

• Only warnings will be issued for the first 30 days after a cameras are newly-established in a safety zone;

• The first time a vehicle owner is eligible to receive an actual ticket, they will instead receive a warning;
• Fines for violations are $35 for vehicles travelling 6-10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit while in a safety zone, and $100 for vehicles travelling 11 or more miles over the posted speed limit.  

Further, the City is capping the locations where speed cameras can be installed to 20% of the 1,500 safety zone locations allowed by state law (approximately 300).  The city expects to select 50 locations for camera installation in 2013.  The ASE cameras will begin to be installed in August, with the first tickets being issued in September.

Locations will be chosen based on available data regarding traffic, speeding, and accidents, and with the input of an advisory committee that will include will include Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Pedestrian and Traffic Safety Committee, and a group of religious, academic, public safety, and medical community leadership.  The City has established six geographical regions wherein no fewer than 10% of speed enforcement cameras will be located in each region.

Revenue from the program will be used for programs that enhance the safety of children, including afterschool, anti-violence and jobs programs; crossing guards and police officers around schools; and infrastructure improvements, such as signs, crosswalk markings and other traffic safety improvements.