National Coalition for Safer Roads Collects More Than 12,300 Signatures on Petition Supporting New Jersey Red-Light Safety Cameras

New Jersey Residents Show Strong Support for Life-Saving Benefits of Camera Technology

WASHINGTON, Nov. 15, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Coalition for Safer Roads (NCSR) has collected more than 12,300 signatures from New Jersey residents on its petition supporting the use of red-light safety cameras at dangerous intersections in the state. By signing the petition, New Jersey residents have shown critical support for the life-saving technology as a tool to keep roads safe.

As NCSR continues to collect signatures, the organization will keep New Jersey officials informed of the growing statewide public approval of the existing traffic safety programs that improve intersection safety.

"At a time when red-light safety cameras have come under attack from radical state legislators, the people of New Jersey are speaking out loudly in support of using these tools to keep their roadways and loved ones safe," says David Kelly, Executive Director of NCSR. "Time and again, the technology has saved lives and improved safety at dangerous intersections."

According to new data obtained from the Rutgers Plan4Safety crash database, right-angle crashes continue to decline at intersections in New Jersey. Crash data compiled from 26 intersections in 15 townships with American Traffic Solutions' (ATS) red-light safety cameras in operation for at least one year showed total right-angle crashes decreased an average of 11 percent. A look at the 12 intersections with cameras in place for two years indicates an even greater reduction of 59 percent from the first year of use to the second. By comparison, right angle-crashes at control intersections without red-light safety cameras increased by 46 percent.

"Red-light safety cameras are a proven tool in changing driver behavior across the country, and New Jersey is no exception," says Kelly.

Released earlier this year, a review of ATS red-light safety cameras in New Jersey tracked red-light violations in 18 townships from the beginning of each program until the end of 2012. Since installation, average violations per camera fell by 44 percent.  Additionally, 86 percent of vehicles with a paid violation did not get a second. The low incidence of repeat offenders and the decline in violations indicate that cameras are improving driver behavior.

For more information, visit NJRedLightFacts.com.

The National Coalition for Safer Roads helps save lives and protect communities by demonstrating how red-light safety cameras can improve driver behavior. NCSR brings together policymakers, community leaders and concerned citizens in support of red-light safety cameras, advocating for their use in cities and communities across the country. The National Coalition for Safer Roads is a 501 (c)(6) industry trade association. To learn more, please visit www.NCSRsafety.org, follow @SaferRoadsUSA on Twitter and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/SaferRoadsUSA

SOURCE National Coalition for Safer Roads