Letter to the Editor: Red Light Camera Should be Banned

Dear Editor,

I am writing in regard to your article, There has been controversy over the placement of several red-light cameras in South Brunswick, and some have been removed by the Department of Transportation Pilot Program. There is a lot of debate on whether or not the cameras enhance traffic safety, or cause more problems. After doing research on red-light cameras and from my own experience, I have come to the conclusion that red-light cameras should be banned from all states.

The companies putting up these cameras are clearly in it for the money. To them, it is an easy way to hand out many tickets and collect large sums of money with little effort. I believe that New Jersey should follow in the footsteps of California and Texas and force the state to remove cameras from all traffic lights.

One incident that raises a large amount of frustration towards the cameras is the issue at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. Due to the vast amount of traffic after a sporting event, police officers were waving vehicles through red lights to keep the traffic moving. The camera is not capable of deciphering between vehicles who illegally run the light versus drivers who are obeying an officer’s directives. 

As a result, over 200 tickets were mailed to those who were only following the police officers instructions. The citizens that received the tickets were outraged.  The fact that many were unable to pay the steep fine only added insult to injury.

My own personal experience shows another reason why the cameras should be illegal. When heading down Finnegans Lane in North Brunswick, NJ, around 9pm, I came to a traffic light and was stuck in the middle of the intersection waiting for on-coming cars to pass. By the time the cars had passed, the light had turned yellow and I proceeded to make a left-hand turn onto RT. 1 north.

As I began my turn, an intensely bright light flashed my eyes and left me almost blinded for several moments. Being an 18 year old male, I could barely keep my eyes on the road which gives me an uneasy feeling thinking about older people or those with conditions such as epilepsy witnessing this bright flash.

In response to your article, I strongly disagree with the implementation of red-light cameras and think you should support the removal of them in New Jersey. There are enough facts that are published for all to see to realize that the cameras are potentially dangerous in many ways. It is clear that the cameras are there for those to profit off of instead of them being there to ensure better safety precautions. I do not believe that an easy way to give someone a ticket just to make a profit is worth people’s lives.

Sincerely,

Joseph John Lakatos, South Brunswick