Could those traffic light cameras that snap pictures of red light violators be coming to West Windsor? It’s possible.
The West Windsor Township Council discussed the possibility with Police Chief Joseph Pica on September 13 during an agenda session.
The traffic light cameras, which take pictures of the cars and license plates of drivers who run red lights and can later be used to issue summons, could be an option at the township’s busiest intersections, explained Pica.
The intersections that could be targeted are Route 571 and Clarksville and Route 1 and Carnegie Center Drive (the site of a fatal accident involving a truck a few years back), as well as Route 1 and Washington Road, “where people have seen drivers go through stop signs or not obey pedestrian laws,” said Business Administrator Robert Hary.
According to Pica, officials are in the preliminary stages of looking into the possibility of applying to the state Department of Transportation, seeking permission to install the lights.
“This was the first conversation I had with council,” said Pica. “The decision was to research it and see if we can move forward with this program.” Part of the application would involve providing crash data for the intersections being considered.
Installing the cameras can generate revenue, but it would not be the main reason the township is looking to participate in the program, said Pica. “The primary purpose for putting in the lights is to curtail the violations of people who are trying to beat the light,” he said. “When the light turns red, it films any of the people who go through the light subsequent to it turning red.”
The information of the vehicle that drives through the light is sent to the camera vendor, which prepares a list of the people who actually violated the red light, and the police department can download that information from an online system, Pica explained.
“Because there is no eyewitness to the violation, there are no points attached to the ticket, so it would be a no-point violation,” Pica said. “The fine is $85.”
However, the township would not see all of that money. In his discussions with vendors in 2008, the information at that time provided that the township would only see about $46 of that $85 fee. Some goes to the state, county, and vendor as well, but those figures are from 2008, Pica said.
If the township ultimately decides to pursue an application to the DOT and is successful, there would be advanced notice to motorists and signs alerting drivers of the cameras. Pica said the system has been used and is very successful in Newark in reducing the number of crashes at the city’s most dangerous intersections.
Because of the length of the process, Pica said he does not see any cameras being installed before the spring, if the township is successful in its application. The only other municipality in Mercer County that already has approval to use the cameras is Lawrence.
Police Step Up Enforcement of Pedestrian Laws. Pica also told the council that the police department has been increasing its enforcement of a new state law requiring drivers to come to a complete stop when a pedestrian is in a crosswalk. Drivers must also remain stopped until the pedestrian has fully crossed the street.
Pica said that police have already increased patrols at the newly installed crosswalk signs at various locations throughout the township, as requested by council. But Pica said police are hoping to also enhance education for drivers of the new law.
“West Windsor is going to be out there enforcing it aggressively, so people run the risk of getting a summons if they don’t comply,” Pica said.
