Arguing for cameras, Emanuel has stressed statistics from a recent federally funded pedestrian study showing that over the five-year period  (2005-2009), there were 861 crashes near schools that involved school-age children and occurred roughly around arrival and dismissal times. Those car crashes resulted in three deaths and 115 serious injuries, according to the study.

The report, however, did not analyze whether speeding was a contributing factor to those vechicle accidents, making it difficult to project how many might have been avoided if speed cameras had been in place.

Chicago officials acknowledge they have no studies that correlate speeding with car accidents involving children. Instead, they point to a body of federal reports showing that speeding contributes to a significant number of crashes, and the peril to pedestrians increases the faster cars go.  

So the question remains (as with the red light cameras installed a few years ago), will the speeding cameras actually make the streets of Chicago safer? Are these pedestrian accidents occurring because of speeders, or are they due to other factors such texting and driving, drinking and driving or other distracted driving factors.

Other critics have mentioned that since the cameras are only being installed in the city, they cost will be bourn upon those who can least afford it.  Also, is this another example of Chicago acting as Big Brother and intruding into the lives of its' residents?

It will be interested to see after the law passes and the cameras are installed whether pedestrian accidents in these areas actually goes down.

If you or someone you love has been involved in a Chicago car accident or a Chicago vehicle-pedestrian accident, then call Chicago personal injury lawyer Aaron Bryant for a free consultation at 312-5988-3384 or go to the firm website at www.blgchicago.com.