Granite City police say nearly 1,800 red-light camera citations have been issued at the Maryville Road and Pontoon Road intersection during the first seven months of 2026. Officials report the cameras have coincided with a significant reduction in crashes, while the use of automated traffic enforcement continues to generate public debate.
GRANITE CITY, IL – August 4, 2026 (STL.News) Granite City, IL, police have issued 1,790 red-light camera citations at the intersection of Maryville Road and Pontoon Road between Jan. 1 and July 28, 2026, according to data released by the department. City officials say the automated enforcement system has contributed to a significant decline in crashes at one of the community’s monitored intersections.
The four-camera system, which monitors all directions of traffic at the intersection, was installed following approval by the Granite City City Council in 2025. Before citations were issued, the city conducted a warning period to alert motorists that automated enforcement would soon begin.
Police Report Fewer Crashes
Granite City police say the number of crashes at the intersection has declined since the cameras were activated.
According to the department, there were 10 crashes before the cameras were installed compared with two crashes after enforcement began, based on the periods evaluated by police. Officials say the results support the city’s goal of improving traffic safety by discouraging drivers from running red lights.
The crash figures were released as part of the city’s update on the automated enforcement program and represent the primary reason officials say the cameras remain in use.
How the Citation Process Works
Drivers recorded by the automated enforcement system receive a $100 citation mailed to the vehicle’s registered owner.
Under Granite City’s red-light camera program, the citation is classified as a non-moving violation, meaning it does not result in driver’s license points. Vehicle owners may review the photographic and video evidence associated with the violation and have the right to contest the citation through the city’s administrative hearing process.
The city also allows citations to be paid through several methods, including online, by mail, by telephone, or in person.
Cameras Added Following Council Approval
The Granite City City Council approved the installation of four red-light cameras at the Maryville Road and Pontoon Road intersection in 2025. Following installation, officials implemented a warning period before beginning full enforcement, giving drivers time to adjust to the new system.
The cameras now monitor vehicles approaching the intersection from all four directions.
Automated Enforcement Remains a Topic of Debate
Automated traffic enforcement continues to draw mixed reactions across Illinois and the nation.
Supporters argue that red-light cameras improve compliance with traffic signals and reduce dangerous intersection crashes. Critics question the use of automated enforcement, raising concerns about privacy, due process, and whether such programs place too much emphasis on issuing citations.
Granite City officials, however, continue to point to the reported reduction in crashes at the monitored intersection as evidence that the cameras are serving their intended public safety purpose.
Looking Ahead
Nearly 1,800 citations have been issued during the first seven months of 2026 at the Maryville Road and Pontoon Road intersection, making it one of Granite City’s most actively monitored traffic locations.
Police say the program’s focus remains reducing red-light violations and improving safety for motorists traveling through the intersection. While debate over automated traffic enforcement is likely to continue, city officials maintain that the decline in reported crashes demonstrates the value of the cameras in encouraging drivers to obey traffic signals.
