FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Newark, NJ – November 30, 2011 - Mayor Cory A. Booker, Engineering Director Mehdi Mohammadish, and Police Director Samuel A. DeMaio announced today that the City of Newark’s “Project Red Light” Automated Photo Enforcement System has expanded to include a new intersection at Wilson and Doremus Avenues in the East Ward. The 30-day warning period began on Wednesday, November 30, 2011. All motorists who run through red lights at this intersection will receive a warning, but after the 30-day warning period they will be issued an $85 traffic violation. After the 30-day warning period expires, tickets will start being issued on Friday, December 30, 2011.
“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 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. I commend our Department of Engineering and the New Jersey Department of Transportation on developing this program.”
The City of Newark’s “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. Based on the City of Newark’s one-year report to the State of New Jersey, accidents at the first 10 intersections with photo enforcement cameras dropped 16 percent in 2010 over the 2009 total, with half the intersection cameras installed for six months or less. From July through December 2010, there were 23 percent fewer accidents than the final six months of 2009.
“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. 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,” Director Mohammadish noted.
“This program is enhancing our ability to enforce traffic ordinances and maintain safety for pedestrians and motorists alike without incurring additional expenses or duties for our officers,” said Police Director DeMaio. “This Automated Photo Enforcement System is enabling us to work smarter and to eliminate the needless tragedies that result when motorists ignore red lights.”
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.
According to Division of Traffic and Signal Manager Jack M. Nata, whose division is overseeing the implementation of the program, “The Red Light Camera Program is one of the most important safety initiatives the Department of Engineering has ever pursued and these camera systems have 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.
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
Follow us on Twitter: www.twitter.com/cityofnewarknj
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 commuter and freight rail lines, 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. Its population showed growth in the most recent census. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The rate of production of affordable housing has doubled, and new businesses are moving in. 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
Wilson Avenue and Doremus Avenue – Goes active on December 30, 2011
Market Street and University Avenue
Market Street and Washington Street
McCarter Highway and Market Street
McCarter Highway and Edison Place
McCarter Highway and Lafayette Street
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 Boulevard and Prospect Street
Mulberry Street and Market Street
