New Jersey Department of Transportation Report Highlights Benefits of Red-Light Safety Cameras

WASHINGTON, March 28, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The New Jersey Department of Transportation (NJDOT)'s annual analysis of the state's red-light safety camera program has turned out positive results for the third straight year. In response, the National Coalition for Safer Roads is encouraging NJDOT to take action and extend its use of the life-saving camera enforcement before the five-year pilot program sunsets at the end of this year.

Among its key findings, the report found total crashes decreased 27% at the 22 New Jersey intersections with red-light safety cameras that have been in place for two years. Other important results include:

• Right-angle crashes diminished by 60%.
• Rear-end collisions decreased by 7%.
• The number of citations issued fell by 61%, indicating that red-light safety cameras are reducing the occurrence of red-light running and improving driver behavior.

Total collisions at the 23 intersections with red-light safety cameras in place for one year decreased 5%, right angle crashes decreased 15% and rear-end collisions fell 3%. Citations at these intersections decreased by 31%.

"This report confirms the trends we have seen in past New Jersey reports and in communities all over the country," said NCSR Executive Director David Kelly. "Red-light safety cameras are a critical tool in successfully encouraging drivers to stop on red and keeping roads safe for everyone. We hope that this report spurs the state department of transportation to finally stop dragging its feet and extend this life-saving camera program well before the December deadline."

Red-light running is a significant factor in city collisions and typically results in dangerous broadside collisions. These crashes are more likely than any other types of collisions to cause injury or death. More than half of the people killed in red-light running crashes are people other than the red-light runner – innocent motorists, bicyclists or pedestrians who were obeying the law.

Statewide, support remains high for red-light safety cameras, according to a new survey by AAA that found 56% of 1,000 polled motorists favor red-light cameras to penalize red-light runners. Additionally, NCSR has collected more than 17,400 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 strong support for the life-saving technology as a tool to keep their roadways safe.

For more information, visit NCSRSafety.org.

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