Company: Red-Light Cameras Effective in Increasing Safety in 2011

A small but vocal group of township residents has been railing against the township's red-light cameras for several months now.

There may be a reason the opposition group is small.

According to data recently released by American Traffic Solutions (ATS)—the Arizona-based company that operates the red-light cameras in Gloucester Township and 16 other New Jersey towns—98 percent of the red-light running violations in 2011 were committed by drivers operating vehicles registered outside of the township.

ATS reports that more than 21,000 red-light tickets were issued through the township's program in 2011. A total of 10 cameras are operational at four intersections along Blackwood Clementon Road.

ATS also reports that red-light violators in Gloucester Township have learned their lesson the first time they are ticketed, with 89 percent of offenders receiving only one ticket in 2011.

A February report by Gloucester Township Patch found that the township had brought in a total of $2,529,685 in fines from the program's inception in July 2010 through Jan. 30, with more than $1.3 million of that finding its way into the township's coffers.

The township keeps $73.50 from each $85 red-light camera ticket that results in a conviction, sending the other $11.50 to the state. It also pays ATS a $4,750 per camera per month lease, for a total of $47,500 per month and $570,000 per year.

Through Jan. 30, a total of 29,761 guilty pleas or verdicts had been reached from the total of 38,766 tickets issued via the red-light cameras since July 2010. Township officials have noted an overwhelming majority of the remaining 9,005 tickets had not been adjudicated as of Jan. 30, with only a small portion of the people to receive tickets for red-light offenses being found not guilty.

While revenue is an obvious upside to the red-light camera program, ATS says its figures show the program has also increased traffic safety along one of the township's busiest roadways.

For instance, at the intersection of Blackwood-Clementon and Millbridge roads, red-light offenses fell by 73 percent when comparing summonses issued in January 2011 with December 2011 data. The results were not as significant at other intersections when comparing data from the two months: 37 percent reduction at Blackwood Clementon Road and Cherrywood Drive; 34 percent reduction at Little Gloucester and Blackwood-Clementon roads; and a 28 percent reduction at Erial and Blackwood-Clementon roads.

Red-light violations were most common at Gloucester Township's camera-controlled intersections Saturdays in the 2 p.m. hour, according to ATS. The fewest violations occurred Wednesdays.

The state Department of Transportation has approved a total of 25 New Jersey towns for red-light cameras, with 22 towns currently operating ticketing programs. In close proximity to Gloucester Township, Cherry Hill and Monroe townships utilize red-light cameras.