O'Scanlon: Red Light Cameras Have Shorter Yellow Light Times

By Christopher Sheldon

Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon continued his quest to have the state's red light camera program shut down.

O'Scanlon spoke at the Doubletree Hotel in Tinton Falls on Monday and revealed evidence showing that yellow light times at many red light camera intersections are shorter than the time proscribed by law and dictated by the NJ Department of Transportation.

"The standard and methodology the Department of Transportation (DOT) is using results in yellow light timing that is too short to begin with - but now we have proof that many of these lights are even short of that flawed standard," O'Scanlon said in a release. "We now have unequivocal proof that these systems are being operated illegally under the law. By the DOT's own standards and statements, any camera shown to have a yellow duration that is too short must be shut down."

O'Scanlon said he worked with an expert in video timing to examine yellow light duration and found them to be shorter at at least six of the dozen intersections studied. 

The assemblyman showed the videos of a number of intersections on Monday.
"We have already destroyed the credibility of the claims that this program is about safety - it's not, red light cameras don't improve safety, they only serve the purpose of picking the pockets of already beleaguered NJ motorists," O'Scanlon said. "The credibility of this program was on life support, today we pull the plug."

He said the DOT has stated that any red light camera shown to have a deficient yellow time would not be adjusted amd would be shut down and taken out of the program.  

"Those cameras must be shut down and removed from the program permanently," he said. "I have been in consultation with the DOT on this matter and expect their decision promptly. Every day these cameras are permitted to operate they are issuing illegal tickets to hundreds of innocent people."

The red light camera program is used by a small group of New Jersey towns, and is considered a pilot program.

Municipalities such as West Long Branch are looking to utilize the cameras at some of the busier borough intersections. The Department of Transportation (DOT) would have to approve the borough's use of the cameras before they can be installed.

The borough must apply to be in the DOT's pilot program for the cameras, and there are currently no open slots. If one of the slots opens up, West Long Branch would be placed on a waiting list.

The legislation that allows the red light camera pilot program expires in December, 2014, and it would have to be extended for more cameras to be installed throughout the state.