O'Scanlon: Red Light Cameras Have Shorter Yellow Times Than Law Allows

By Christopher Sheldon

Forget slowing down--Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon (R-13) wants to see the state's red light camera program come to a complete stop.

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

"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 in a release. 

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 in the release. "The credibility of this program was on life support, today we pull the plug."

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

"Every day these cameras are permitted to operate they are issuing illegal tickets to hundreds of innocent people," he said. 

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 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.