While state officials have currently stopped receiving applications from municipalities looking to install red-light cameras at intersections within their jurisdiction, Plainsboro is preparing for the time when the process re-opens.
According to Sergeant Fred Tavener, Plainsboro Police are currently researching the idea and meeting with vendors of the red light camera. Tavener told the Township Committee at its July 27 meeting that the state Department of Transportation approved the cameras for 25 jurisdictions but is currently not adding any more.
Plainsboro Police, though, “are preparing ourselves to be ready if they do, in fact, open it statewide.”
The red light cameras are installed above the traffic signals at select intersections within in a jurisdiction. They snap photos of drivers who run red lights, and tickets (with fines) are issued to owners of the vehicles. Not only do the cameras make the intersections safer, but they also provide added revenue to the town, Tavener said.
“The really important thing is the traffic and safety aspect of it,” Mayor Peter Cantu said.
Police Chief Richard Furda explained that the current program offered by the state DOT is a five-year pilot program, which is why no more applications are being accepted.
In addition, some jurisdictions, like Newark, where the cameras are used, have experienced one drawback to the pilot: the fines are not imposed by state law. So in effect, drivers can choose not to pay the tickets because it is not written into state law, said Furda. Under the program, red light violators are not issued points, since the ticket is sent to owner of the vehicle, who may not be the actual driver who ran the red light. “If people choose not to pay the summons, they don’t have to,” said Furda.
Tavener said that Plainsboro Police are working to “at least become part of the collective pool now. We’re doing work that needs to be done at this point.” This will give Plainsboro an edge if the program is opened to all jurisdictions in the future, he added.
