The Daily Newarker — Press Wire

For Immediate Release

MAYOR BOOKER OFFICIALLY LAUNCHES

“PROJECT RED LIGHT” DURING CEREMONY

AT MILITARY PARK AT THE CORNER

OF BROAD STREET AND RAYMOND BOULEVARD

Automated camera system will issue $85 tickets to drivers who run past red lights

at intersections of Broad and Market Streets and Broad and Raymond Blvd;

 Newark is the first city in the State to have fully operational photo enforcement system 

Newark, NJ - December 15, 2009 – Mayor Cory A. Booker, the Municipal Council, Acting Engineering Director Mehdi Mohammadish, Police Director Garry F. McCarthy, Redflex executives, and other dignitaries launched the City of Newark’s “Project Red Light” Automated Photo Enforcement System with a ceremony which will took place at Military Park at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard, in Newark, today.

Starting Wednesday, December 16, the 30-day warning period will end, and the system will be officially activated. Automated cameras deployed at the Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard intersection and the Broad Street and Market Street intersection will snap photographs of license plates of cars that run red lights. All motorists running right lights at those intersections will receive an $85 traffic violation in the mail by Redflex Traffic Systems, of Phoenix, Arizona, which operates the cameras and will serve as an agent of the Newark Municipal Court.

“This program was created for the critical purposes of reducing lawlessness and saving lives,” Mayor Booker said. “We will now be able to efficiently and effectively pursue and punish motorists who disregard our laws and disrespect the lives of our residents by running red lights. Together with our partners we are making our City stronger, safer and prouder.”

Along with the two Broad Street intersections that are being activated, eight additional major intersections are currently under construction to receive cameras. The City will bear no costs for the installation and operation of the cameras. Twelve other intersections are also pending approval from the New Jersey State Department of Transportation.  A list of intersections is attached.

In January 2008, Governor Jon S. Corzine enacted Assembly Bill 4314, establishing a five-year pilot program to determine the effectiveness of the installation and utilization of traffic control signal monitoring systems. Under the program, a traffic control signal monitoring system utilizes cameras and vehicle sensors in conjunction with the intersection’s traffic lights to produce images of vehicles disregarding a red signal and running a red light.

“The Project Red Light Camera Program is supporting our Engineering and Police Departments’ efforts to enforce traffic safety regulations while improving the flow of traffic and increasing public safety for both motorists and pedestrians at our City’s busiest intersections,” Acting Director Mohammadish noted.

According to Division of Traffic and Signals Acting Manager Jack Nata, whose division is overseeing the implementation of the program, the City of Newark selected Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc. of Phoenix, to establish this vital safety program. “The Red Light Camera Program is one of the most important safety initiatives the Department of Engineering has ever pursued. This program will enhance the safety improvements we have already implemented at these intersections, creating safer intersections for pedestrians and motorists alike,” Mr. Nata said.

The type of violation issued is similar to one for running a red light captured by a police officer on the street, with the exception that no points will be assigned against the driver or the owner of the vehicle. The penalty imposed for failing to observe a traffic control device is set forth in Title 39 of the New Jersey Statutes. The automated cameras will snap photographs of license plates of vehicles that run red lights, which will result in the owners of the vehicles being mailed a ticket for the violation. Violators can view the digital still images and a 12-second video of the violation online. The program is financed by a percentage of the paid violations being collected by the State and disbursed among the State, County, and City.

“The Red Light Camera Program will enhance our ability to enforce traffic ordinances and maintain safety for pedestrians and motorists without incurring additional expenses or duties for our officers,” Director McCarthy said. “We are using the latest technology and maximizing those partnerships that enable us to work smarter, and to eliminate the needless tragedies that result when motorists ignore red lights.”

For information on all other City of Newark programs and policies, contact the Non-Emergency Call Center at (973) 733-4311.

-NEWARK-

Contact:        Newark Press Information Office - (973) 733-8004

or PressOffice@ci.newark.nj.us


Redflex Traffic Systems, Inc., - (781) 684-0770

                or redflex@schwartz-pr.com

For more information on the City of Newark, please visit our website at www.ci.newark.nj.us

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About the City of Newark, New Jersey

Newark, commonly referred to as Brick City, is the third oldest city in the United States and the largest in New Jersey, with a population of more than 280,000 people. Newark sits on one of the nation’s largest transportation super-structures including an international airport, major rail connections, major highway intersections and the busiest seaport on the east coast.

With a new Administration as of July 2006, Newark continues to see signs of a strong revival.  In population, it is one of the fastest growing cities in the northeast. Its six major colleges and universities are further expanding their presence. The production of affordable housing has doubled, businesses are returning and crime is going down. There is still much work to be done but Newark is on its way to achieving its mission:  to set a national standard for urban transformation.

LIST OF APPROVED INTERSECTIONS

Broad Street and Market Street

Broad Street and Raymond Boulevard

Broad Street and Murray Street

Raymond Blvd and Prospect Street

Raymond Blvd and Raymond Plaza West

Mulberry Street and Market Street

McCarter Highway and Market Street

McCarter Highway and Edison Place

McCarter Highway and Lafayette Street

McCarter Highway and South Street

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