Caught on Camera: Fair Haven Could Get Traffic Light Camera to Improve Traffic Safety

If you blow a light heading eastbound at the intersection of River and Fair Haven Roads, you could be caught on camera. That is, if Fair Haven is approved for the traffic light camera pilot program being done by the state.

“Traffic safety on River Rd. is an issue,” explained Mayor Mike Halfacre. “Anything we can do to get people to slow down is why I was looking into it.”

Halfacre said Fair Haven is looking to be included in a traffic light camera pilot program currently being conducted by the New Jersey Department of Transportation. The mayor discussed the status of the application at the council meeting on June 13 held at  

“They came and did a preliminary study,” said Halfacre. “In order to be a part of the program, you have to show that you have a certain volume of traffic.” 

The study showed that the only intersection sufficient to support red light cameras is at River Rd. and Fair Haven Rd. “It surprised me,” said Halfacre about their finding. “I think of Eastbound being relatively safer than the Westbound.” 

The way the cameras work is if a car runs through a red light, it will snap a photo of the license plate. “Every single photograph that is a violation is reviewed by a law enforcement officer,” explained Halfacre. The tickets are sent to the police station for review to make sure it is not a “close call” or a mistake. “It is not automatic.” Also, the tickets given through the camera system do not carry points.

According to Halfacre, he has been working on getting approval for a while now.  They are now reviewing accident history at the intersection. Once the study is complete, the information will be submitted to the Department of Transportation for approval into the program.

If approved, a private company would come in and install the cameras for free. The company installs the camera for free and makes money off the fines from the tickets along with a portion of the fines going to the state and the town.

Although each town does get a small revenue from the fines, it is not the reason the council is seeking approval. “This is not a tremendous revenue for the borough,” said the mayor. “This is more of a safety issue.”

No decisions as to whether or not camera will be installed have been made yet. If Fair Haven is approved, the council will have to adopt an ordinance before the company can come in and start the program.