Chicago Announces First 12 Automated Speed Locales

The Chicago Department of Transportation is announcing the first 12 automated speed enforcement sites as part of the city’s “Children’s Safety Zones.”

Cameras will monitor speed and revenue from violations will go toward afterschool programs, anti-violence and jobs programs, crossing guards and police around schools, and more.

Installation of cameras will begin this week and the system will begin issuing warnings to motorists by the end of August.

Officials say Chicago has about 3,000 crashes between vehicles and pedestrians a year. About 800 involve children. A pedestrian hit by a car traveling 20 mph – the school zone speed – has a 95 percent chance of living.

A city pilot test last winter showed nearly 10 percent of cars at two test sites were potentially speeding.