Politics & Government

Poll Shows NJ Support of Red Light Cameras

However, Morristown's inclusion in program will have to wait.

The National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) recently released results from a research poll that indicate New Jerseyans are in favor of red light cameras as a means to increase safety.

Meanwhile, Morristown is currently next-in-line for State Department of Transportation inclusion in implementation of red light safety cameras here.

The poll, released July 6, found that 77 percent back the use of cameras at busy intersections in New Jersey, with 43 percent saying they “strongly support” the cameras.

Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Among the 600 people polled for the study, 56 percent report they drive more carefully when they know that red light safety cameras are present, according to the release. Seventy one percent believe other drivers are more careful when safety cameras are present.

New Jersey is operating under a five-year pilot program for red light cameras. Seventeen municipalities currently use this technology: Brick, East Brunswick, New Brunswick, Edison, Woodbridge in Middlesex County; Linden and Roselle Park in Union County; Deptford, Monroe and Glassboro in Gloucester County; Stratford, Gloucester Township and Cherry Hill in Camden County; Wayne in Passaic County; Jersey City in Hudson County; Palisades Park in Bergen County and Newark in Essex County. 

Find out what's happening in Morristownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Morristown Town Council

The red light cameras, as opposed to other cameras already at certain intersections that just adjust the duration of the lights, would monitor for traffic violations, such as running red lights. American Traffic Solutions, based in Arizona, would install the lights at intersections selected following a study, at no cost to the town; ATS would recoup its costs over a period of time through tickets issued by the town for traffic violations. The State DOT must also approve any intersections selected for the red light cameras before work proceeds.

Business Administrator Michael Rogers previously said he hoped the first camera could be ready by as early as this fall. However, Rogers recently said Morristown is currently on a waiting list to be the next municipality to be included in the program. While he said he is optimistic the town will eventually be included, it won't be this fall "unless there's a change tomorrow." 

The new survey follows a national study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety showing that two thirds of drivers in 14 big cities with longstanding red light camera programs support their use, and that more than 90 percent of drivers surveyed in the 14 cities believe red light running is unacceptable, according to the press release. More than 80 percent deem it a serious threat to personal safety.

Other highlights of the New Jersey poll:

  • When it comes to specific places where cameras might be used, support was highest in school zones (74% support), followed by construction zones (59%).
  • By a 77%-22% margin, voters support the use of red light safety cameras at New Jersey’s busiest intersections, to monitor drivers who run red lights.
  • When supporters were asked in an open ended question WHY they supported the cameras, 69% cited the safety of other drivers and pedestrians, and 59% cited law enforcement and prevention of violating the law. (Numbers sum to more than 100% as multiple responses were accepted)

The survey was conducted in New Jersey on June 6-8 among 600 likely voters and has a margin of error of +/- 4% in 95 out of 100 cases.  The sample is 22% Republican, 35% Democrat and 43% unaffiliated.  Males comprise 48% of the sample, and females 52%. The statewide poll was conducted by National Research Inc.

Click here to view the executive summary and the poll results


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