Photo Enforcement Safety Program

VILLAGE OF ADDISON - RED LIGHT CAMERA LOCATIONS
   
   Eastbound Lake Street at J.F. Kennedy Drive
   Northbound J.F. Kennedy Drive at Lake Street

You may view the video footage of your violation online.  Visit www.redlightviolations.com.  You must enter the Violation Notice Number and License Plate Number noted on the top and bottom right of your Notice of Violation.

For questions regarding the Village of Addison Photo Enforcement Safety Program, call the Customer Service Call Center toll free at (866) 865-5912 between 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM (CST), Monday through Friday.

In an effort to enhance safety at some of Addison's most dangerous intersections, the Village Board approved the installation of a Photo Enforcement Safety Program, also known as red light cameras, for various intersections within the community. The Village believed that implementation of the Photo Enforcement Safety Program would reduce the number of red light collisions and injuries associated with red light running crashes and increase traffic safety in Addison without impacting Village funds.

Red light cameras at the intersection of Lake Street and Addison Road were installed at the end of January 2009.  The cameras monitored traffic for eastbound Lake Street and westbound Lake Street. 

As a condition of use, both Illinois law and the Illinois Department of Transportation require periodic statistical analyses/evaluations be conducted. Listed below is an analysis assessing the safety impact of the red light cameras at Lake Street at Addison Road for both eastbound and westbound lanes following the installation of the cameras.

*   Data is from outside analysis report range.
** Other indicates pedestrian, pedalcyclist, fixed object and sideswipe.

The above table uses traffic crash data from two different sources -- the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for the years 2006 through 2008 and the Addison Police Department for the years 2009 through 2011. Prior to 2009, specific traffic crash data was not collected by the Police Department for each intersection; and, therefore, we were unable to compare like data. In addition, we could not solely use the traffic crash data compiled by IDOT because in January of 2009, IDOT changed their reporting requirements. In 2009, IDOT only required that those traffic crashes with property damage in excess of $1,500 be reported.

The above table reflects a decrease in traffic crashes for 2011 and 2012 after an initial spike in traffic crashes in 2010. This spike can be attributed to an extensive road construction project on area expressways, which we believe led to more traffic on the local streets of Addison as motorists tried to avoid the road construction.

Violations reduced - Safety enhanced!
The table below shows a steady decrease in the number of violations issued for both eastbound and westbound Lake Street at Addison Road. Good news for the Village of Addison! Less violations meant the public was obeying the law and stopping on red, ultimately making the streets safer to travel.  On January 24, 2013, the decision was made to move the cameras from Lake and Addison to Lake and Kennedy.

In July 2009, red light cameras were installed at the intersection of Lake Street and Rohlwing Road. Those cameras monitored traffic for eastbound Lake Street and northbound Rohlwing Road.  But in September 2011, the Illinois Department of Transportation began an extensive road construction project on Rohlwing Road, and the red light cameras at the intersection were removed. 

Red light cameras were also installed at the intersection of Lake Street and J.F. Kennedy Drive. The cameras monitor eastbound Lake Street and northbound J.F. Kennedy Drive. Violations were issued starting November 20, 2012 for northbound J.F. Kennedy Drive at Lake Street and starting November 30, 2012 for eastbound Lake Street at J.F. Kennedy Drive.

As a condition of use, both Illinois law and the Illinois Department of Transportation require periodic statistical analyses/evaluations be conducted.  Analyses have been conducted following the installation of those cameras at Lake Street and J.F. Kennedy Drive to assess the safety impact of the red light cameras, and it is listed below.

** Other indicates pedestrian, pedal cyclist, fixed object, sideswipe, head-on and unknown.

DISCLAIMER: The motor vehicle crash data referenced herein was provided by IDOT based upon information derived from multiple sources. Any conclusions drawn from analysis of the aforementioned data are the sole responsibility of the data recipient(s). Additionally, for coding years 2015 to present, the Bureau of Data Collection uses the exact latitude/longitude supplied by the investigating law enforcement agency to locate crashes. Therefore, location data may vary in prior years, since the data prior to 2015 was physically located by bureau personnel. Given the subjective nature of the reporting process, the modifications in the incident locating protocols and the changes to the crash reporting thresholds effective 2009, the Village of Addison acknowledges the potential for discrepancies in the final conclusions drawn.

For a more detailed look at the statistical analysis performed at the intersection of Lake Street and J.F. Kennedy Drive through 2021, click here.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What do I do if I receive a Notice of Violation?
How much is the fine?
The fine is $100.00 for each violation. 

How much time do I have to pay my Red Light Violation Notice?
You must pay the civil penalty on or before the due date on your Violation Notice. The due date for payment is located on the top and bottom right of your Notice of Violation. 

What are my Options?
Two Options are available: PAY THE FINE OR CONTEST THE VIOLATION 

OPTION I. Pay the Fine 

• Pay Online: Logon to www.RedLightViolations.com by entering the Violation Notice Number and License Plate Number noted on the top and bottom right of your Notice of Violation. There is a $3.50 convenience fee for paying on-line, assessed at the time of payment.
  
  
• Pay By Mail: Mail your check or money order (payable to the Village of Addison Photo Enforcement Program) in the return envelope provided. Be sure to include the payment stub from the bottom of the notice you received along with your payment. Please do not send cash.
  
  
• Pay By Credit Card: A toll free number has been established for the Village and it is noted on the violation. That toll free number is (866) 865-5912 Payments will be accepted between the hours of 9:00 AM and 4:00 PM (CST), Monday through Friday. VISA and MasterCard are accepted, and there is a $3.50 convenience fee for the service. A transaction confirmation number will be provided as well as an e-mail confirmation for your permanent records if you wish.

OPTION II. Contest the Notice of Violation

Please make sure that the basis for your contest is one of the following four options. (These are also listed on the back of the Notice of Violation.)

• Police officer already issued you a uniform traffic citation for the same violation. (The citation issued by the police officer takes precedence over the Violation Notice.)
  
  
• Vehicle or license plates were stolen and not recovered at the time of the violation.
  
  
• Vehicle was leased or rented to another party, and a written affidavit of the lessee of the vehicle and a lease agreement were submitted.
  
  
• Vehicle was an emergency vehicle or lawfully participating in a funeral procession.

Contest By Mail:

• Fill in the CONTEST BY MAIL circle on the notice stub and on the self-addressed return envelope.
• Enclose a letter signed by the registered owner of the vehicle setting forth facts that establish a defense.
• Enclose any supporting evidence, such as affidavits, photos, state vehicle registration, official police vehicle theft or recovery reports with the Violation Notice Number indicated. Be certain these documents are legible and complete.
• Send copies. Original documents will not be returned.
• Enclose all evidence to support your defense as the hearing officer's decision is final.
• All Contest By Mail materials must be submitted using the enclosed return envelope and must be received by the Pay or Contest By Date. 

Requests to Contest Received AFTER the Pay or Contest By Date: 

• The registered owner (no one else) must send a document to the 
  
  Addison Police Department
  3 Friendship Plaza
  Addison, IL 60101-2786
  
  
  1. Explain why a reply was not sent prior to the Pay or Contest by Date and
  2. State why the Request to Contest should be heard. 

Request An In-Person Hearing: 

• Fill in the IN-PERSON HEARING circle on the return stub and on the return envelope. Mail the stub in the return envelope.
• Requests will only be honored if received by the Pay or Contest By Date (within the first 21 days of the initial Violation Notice).

Can a Hearing Date be Re-Scheduled?
Yes. A hearing date can be re-scheduled once.

Why has the Village of Addison decided to implement a Photo Enforcement Safety Program?
According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, red light runners cause hundreds of deaths and tens of thousands of injuries each year. In 2021, 1,109 people were killed, and an estimated 127,000 people were injured in crashes that involved red light running. Half of those killed were pedestrians, bicyclists and people in other vehicles who were hit by the red light runners.  The Village believes that implementation of a Photo Enforcement Safety Program will reduce the number of red light collisions and injuries associated with such crashes. This program aims to increase traffic safety in Addison by reducing red light running violations, red light crashes, and red light injury crashes without impacting Village funds. 

What is a Red Light Violation?
There are two types of red light violations: 

• Right turn on red without coming to a complete stop.
  
  You may be cited with a red light violation if you fail to bring your vehicle to a complete stop before turning right when the light is red. Turning right on red, after bringing your vehicle to a complete stop, is only allowed at intersections that do not have signs prohibiting such turns. For exact wording, please check Illinois' Rules of the Road or visit the Secretary of State's website, www.cyberdriveillinois.com
  
  
• Entering an intersection after the traffic signal has turned red.
  
  Motorists already in the intersection when the signal changes to red, when waiting to turn for example, are not considered red light violators.

If I am in the intersection when the light is yellow and the light changes to red, will I receive a Notice of Violation?
No. The automated system only becomes active once the red light is showing. It will not capture a vehicle that enters the intersection prior to the light changing to red. If you entered the intersection on yellow, it is legal to clear the intersection if the light turned red while you were still in the intersection. In the Violation Notice, the first photo shows your car at the white line when the stoplight was red. In the second photo, the stoplight was still red when the car proceeded into the intersection.

Will the red light cameras take a picture of the driver of the vehicle?
No. A violation of the Addison ordinance is a civil violation assessed against the owner of the vehicle; it is not a criminal violation. Similar to a parking ticket, there is no need to identify the driver and, therefore, no need to capture the image of the driver. This violation will not affect your driving privileges or insurance rates. 

Where can I go to view my video and images?
To view your violation video clip and images, log on to www.RedLightViolations.com. To log on to the site, you must enter your 16-digit notice number and license plate information located at the top right of your Violation Notice. If you do not have internet access, you may visit any public library for internet access to view your video. 

What if I was not the operator of the car at the time the violation took place. Am I still liable?
Under Illinois State Law, HB 4835 - PA 94-0795 effective May, 2006, the registered owner of a vehicle is liable for any automated traffic law violations that occur to the vehicle. It does not matter who was driving the car. The law clearly states that the registered owner is liable. 

The car was a rental. Why did I receive the Violation Notice?
Under the law, the person(s) designated on the rental or lease agreement of a vehicle as the driver(s) of that vehicle is (are) responsible for any assigned violations during the rental period. Your name and address were provided to us by the rental car agency.

What happens if I ignore the Violation Notice?
Failure to pay the civil penalty or to contest liability prior to the Pay or Contest Date on the notice will result in a Determination of Liability being entered against you. If payment has not been received by the date on this notice, a Final Determination of Liability will be issued. If the Final Determination of Liability is not paid, a late payment fee will be imposed and the fine increased to $200. If this Second Notice remains unpaid, collections and an entry of a judgment against you may proceed.

My payment has already been sent. Will I still be charged late fees?
Payment must be received on or before the Pay or Contest by Date indicated on the Violation Notice. Postmarked dates are not considered as payment received, and payment extensions are not granted.

I paid the violation. Why did I receive another Violation Notice?
The notice you just received could be for additional violations or it may just be a second notice which crossed your payment in the mail. Payments are posted the same day they are received, but you may call the toll free number on the notice for assistance and to confirm receipt. 

If I pay the fine, can I then contest it or ask for a hearing?
No. Once you have paid a fine, it is considered an admission of liability and requests to contest or schedule a hearing will not be granted. 

How do I know these violations are valid?
Images of your vehicle were captured and recorded by an Automated Red Light Photo Enforcement System. Your images and an actual video of the occurrence are available online for your review at www.RedLightViolations.com. 

The images and video passed a two-part review process by qualified technicians before being submitted to the Addison Police Department for final review and approval. The alleged civil infraction notice was then mailed to you as the registered owner. Confirmation of your name, address and vehicle registration information was provided to the Addison Police Department by the Illinois Secretary of State's office. You have the option of contesting the Violation Notice either by mail or by requesting an in-person hearing.