For Immediate Release
TO ADDITIONAL INTERSECTION ON MCCARTER HIGHWAY on july 15
City will start issuing violations to motorists who run red lights at intersection of McCarter Highway and Lafayette Street;
Two more intersections will go active on August 1
Newark, NJ – July 15, 2010 - Mayor Cory A. Booker, Acting Engineering Director Mehdi Mohammadish, and Police Director Garry F. McCarthy announced today that the City of Newark will expand its “Project Red Light” Automated Photo Enforcement System on Thursday, July 15, 2010, by ending its 30-day warning period at the intersection of McCarter Highway and Lafayette Street.
All motorists who run through red lights at McCarter Highway and Lafayette Street on or after July 15 will be issued an $85 traffic violation. A list of all intersections affected by Project Red Light, pending and active, is attached.
“This program was created for the critical purpose of increasing pedestrian and motor safety at our busiest intersections,” Mayor Booker said. “With our partners, we are now efficiently and effectively pursuing and punishing motorists who disregard our laws and disrespect the lives of our residents by running red lights, and saving many lives.”
The camera installations and activations are part of a continuing initiative to reduce the number of traffic accidents caused by motorists who ignore red lights. Newark is the first municipality in the State to implement this program. The Project Red Light Automated Photo Enforcement system first went into operation on December 16, 2009, at the intersection of Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard and the intersection of Broad and Market Streets.
In January 2008, Governor Jon S. Corzine enacted Assembly Bill 4314, establishing a five-year pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the installation and utilization of traffic control signal monitoring systems. Under the program, a traffic control signal monitoring system utilizes cameras and vehicle sensors in conjunction with the intersection’s traffic lights to produce images of vehicles disregarding a red signal and running a red light.
“The Red Light Camera Program is supporting our Police Department in its efforts to enforce traffic safety regulations and is improving safety at our intersections for both motorists and pedestrians,” Acting Director Mohammadish noted. Twelve other intersections are also pending approval from the New Jersey State Department of Transportation.
According to Acting Manager Jack Nata, whose Division of Traffic and Signals is overseeing the implementation of the program, the City of Newark selected Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. of Phoenix, to establish this vital safety program. “The Red Light Camera Program is one of the most important safety initiatives the Department of Engineering has ever pursued. This program is enhancing the safety improvements we have already implemented at these intersections, and has created safer intersections for pedestrians and motorists alike,” Mr. Nata said.
The type of violation issued is similar to one for running a red light captured by a police officer on the street, with the exception that no points will be assigned against the driver or the owner of the vehicle. The penalty imposed for failing to observe a traffic control device is set forth in Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes. The automated cameras snap photographs of license plates of vehicles that run red lights, which will result in the owners of the vehicles being mailed a ticket for the violation. Violators can view the digital still images and a 12-second video of the violation online. The program is financed by a percentage of the paid violations being collected by the State and disbursed among the State, County, and City.
“The Red Light Camera Program enhances our ability to enforce traffic ordinances and maintain safety for pedestrians and motorists without incurring additional expenses or duties for our officers,” Director McCarthy said. “We are using the latest technology and maximizing those partnerships that enable us to work smarter, and to eliminate the needless tragedies that result when motorists ignore red lights.”
Two more intersections will end their 30-day warning periods and go active on Sunday, August 1, 2010. These intersections are McCarter Highway and Edison Place, and McCarter Highway and Market Street.
For information on all City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.
-NEWARK-
Contact:
Newark Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004 or PressOffice@ci.newark.nj.us
Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. - (781) 684-0770 or redflex@schwartz-pr.com
For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us
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About the City of Newark, New Jersey
Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.
With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival. In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission: to set a national standard for urban transformation.
LIST OF PENDING AND ACTIVE INTERSECTIONS
McCarter Highway and Market Street - Warning Period Ends: August 1
McCarter Highway and Edison Place - Warning Period Ends: August 1
McCarter Highway and Lafayette Street - Warning Period Ends: July 15
McCarter Highway and South Street
Broad Street and Market Street
Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard
Broad Street and Murray Street
Raymond Boulevard and Raymond Plaza West
Raymond Blvd and Prospect Street
Mulberry Street and Market Street
