Not all support camera system for traffic light
Despite statistics, Klemp says monitoring system unfair
BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer

EAST BRUNSWICK — The intersection of Route 18 and Tices Lane will soon receive a camera system that enables police to ticket drivers who run the red light, but not everyone is happy with the plan.

During a Dec. 22 Township Council meeting, then-Councilman Donald Klemp voted against approving the plan, and Councilwoman Nancy Pinkin abstained, but the ordinance still received the votes needed to pass.

The measure will allow East Brunswick to be one of the first three municipalities in the state to take part in the red-light pilot program. The township will hire a vendor to install and monitor cameras at the intersection. The vendor will submit pictures to the police of vehicles crossing the intersection against a red light, and police will determine whether to mail the owners of those vehicles a summons with an $85 fine.

At a previous meeting, township Business Administrator James White said the township chose the intersection for the monitoring system because of the number of accidents and violations there. In the past three years, more than 1,400 summonses were issued at that intersection, and over 700 of those were for red light violations.

One of Klemp's objections was that the fines will be sent to the owner of the vehicle, not the driver. He said it is unfair to punish the owner when there is no proof that he or she was driving the vehicle at the time of the offense. Mayor-elect David Stahl had said there is case law, however, stating that it is up to the owner to prove he or she was not the driver.

Resident Robert Lennon also spoke on the camera monitoring issue, asking White about signs that will be placed at the intersection to alert motorists about the photoenforced violations. White said the signs will be placed near the intersection and will let the public about the monitors. But Lennon asked how residents who do not speak English will be able to interpret the signs. White said he would not speculate on what defenses people might offer in municipal court.

Klemp said he agreed with notifying drivers that they ran a red light and were picked up on the system, but is opposed to the penalty, even if no points are involved. He feels it is unfair to penalize the owner of the vehicle when someone else may have been driving. Another reason he opposes the system is because the vehicle owner does not get a chance to directly confront the accuser.

"I think there's a big flaw in it, and I don't like it," Klemp said, adding that a simple notice, and not a fine, is sufficient. He also worried that the penalties would evolve into something more, including points.

In response to Stahl's mention of case law, Klemp said he did not feel the burden of proving who was driving should fall on the vehicle owner.

Klemp said the timing of the traffic signal at the intersection seems to contribute to people running red lights because, he said, drivers get frustrated when only a few vehicles are able to cross through the light before it changes. White said the timing is dictated by the number of vehicles moving through the intersection.

White also said a number of other violations were noted at the intersection, including improper turns, careless driving and speeding. He said there were nearly 160 accidents there from 2005 through 2007.

It has not been announced when the camera system will be installed, but officials expect it will take place in the coming months, once a vendor is selected.