Politics & Government

Red Light Cameras Reinstated

Cameras will issue summonses for offenses that occurred during the suspension period.

The days of blowing through red lights without consequence are coming to a close.

The red light cameras suspended last month throughout New Jersey have been re-authorized.

After a directive from the New Jersey Department of Transportation, 21 municipalities have provided re-certifications for the cameras. The announcement confirms the red light cameras’ yellow light timing, the issue that caused the state to suspend them, is in accordance with the formula specified in the legislation.

Find out what's happening in South Brunswickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

On Tuesday, June 19, the New Jersey Department of Transportation announced it was suspended ticketing from red-light cameras in 21 of 25 municipalities it approved to use the technology.

The DOT ordered ticketing suspended 63 of 85 camera-monitored intersections statewide after it learned the pilot program's legislation's formula for the proper length of the signal's yellow light differs from the legally required, nationally accepted formula used by the DOT and the state's municipalities.

Find out what's happening in South Brunswickwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

After initially being approved for a red light camera at the intersection of Route 1 and Henderson Road, South Brunswick officials decided to pass on having the cameras installed. 

According to a DOT announcement, the transportation organization ordered the suspension at the affected intersections because the pilot program legislation specified a formula to determine the proper duration of the yellow light in a traffic signal that differs from the legally required, nationally accepted formula that NJDOT, counties and municipalities use when installing traffic signals. 

Each municipality conducted traffic analysis requested by the DOT and provided their re-certifications to NJDOT through a licensed municipal engineer. The results have confirmed that the duration of a yellow light at the authorized intersection meets the duration required by law. 

The municipalities affected by the suspension were informed that they can continue issuing violation summonses, including for violations that occurred during the suspension period. 

American Traffic Solutions, the company that installed the cameras said the announcement  “confirmed what we’ve known all along.” 

“All of the approaches monitored by ATS’ red-light safety cameras are now, and have always been in compliance with both state and federal yellow light timing standards,” ATS reps wrote. "Overall, New Jersey’s red-light safety camera programs have been an overwhelming success. Violations, side impact collisions, injuries and fatalities as a result of red-light running continue to fall." 


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