Ocean looks to put cameras at traffic lights

Originally published Aug. 18, 2011
By Vincent Todaro
Ocean Township — Those who run red lights in the township may be in for a little surprise in the mail.
The Township Council recently adopted an ordinance allowing monitoring systems to be installed at several intersections. The system will be used to ticket drivers who run red lights, even if no police officer witnesses the act.
The “traffic control monitoring system,” as it is referred to, is intended to make people more reluctant to run a red light even if no one is around. However, according to business administrator Andrew Brannen, the state must first review the town’s application to use the system, which is part of a pilot program.
When the township does get permission to use the system, it will turn to ATS, the company which would install, maintain and operate the system. The sides have a deal where ATS will collect $17,000 per month for each intersection. However, that will only happen if the township collects that amount, or more, from fine.

 Brannen admitted the goal is hard to reach.
“It’s a lot of summonses,” he said.
Each summons will cost about $85, though no points will be issued onto a drivers license, thereby saving them insurance money. No court appearance will be required either, though driver’s will have the chance to fight the ticket in court, should they choose, he said.
ATS will review the footage of each alleged offense and forward anything it considers a violation, Brannen said. At that point, an Ocean police officer will review the footage to decide if an offense did occur.
He said if points were issued, more people would dispute the tickets in court. Another reason for the lack of points is that the township won’t be able to tell who is driving.
New Jersey law makes it incumbent upon vehicle owners to prove they were not the driver at the time of the infraction.
Brannen said that, in order for someone to be found guilty of running a red light, all four of their vehicle’s tires must be in front of the stopbar — the line in the road near the traffic light- when the light turns red. If the front tires pass the stopbar while the light is still yellow, no offense has occurred.
He said the system comes with no financial risk to the township, due to the fact ATS will own and maintain the system, and also accept whatever amount is collected in fines.
He said the township did not want to buy and install the cameras because of the up-front cost, which could be $6,000 per intersection. In addition, there is a fear that, at some point, the courts could rule that the use of such a system is illegal.
Brannen said the township would not have to hire any additional officers to handle the reviews.
“We would do it with the existing staff,” he said.
Of course, the whole idea will be for naught without the state’s approval. Brannen said the township is not sure when it will get a decision.
He said the state initially approved 25 towns as part of the pilot program, and that Ocean’s application is at the top of the list for the next review.
“As soon as they begin reviewing applications again, we will be the first town approved,” he said. “It’s out of our control at this point.”