DOT Wanted Red Light Cameras to Return, Report Says

TRENTON — There were some good things that red light cameras did for drivers, according to a state Department of Transportation report that was never released after the test program was ended in 2014 but recommended they be brought back.

In 2009, red light cameras were allowed at 73 intersections in 25 different New Jersey towns as part of a pilot program to see if they helped to prevent accidents. The program ended surrounded in controversy over their fairness, their accuracy and the timing of yellow lights in order to raise revenues for towns.

According to a report obtained by NorthJersey.com that was never released red light cameras helped to meet the program's goal of  improving  safety and modifying driver behavior.

The program reduced the total number of crashes and associated costs when comparing the first month of the pilot program to the last including $8.2 million savings in crash-related health care and property damage costs

"The department recommends that new legislation be enacted to continue the use of the program in New Jersey via an enhanced corridor-based program of limited time frame," the report said. The extension would have given the DOT a chance to try and workout the program's "myraid of lessons" learned from the pilot program.