Mid’twn intersections to get red-light cameras

MIDDLETOWN — Based on claims of increased safety, Middletown is in discussions with several companies to install redlight cameras at major intersections.

Township Administrator Anthony Mercantante said at the May 2 Township Committee meeting that the potential to increase traffic safety is driving the decision to install the cameras more than the potential revenue.

“People tend to think of these being done just to generate revenue, and that’s not the case,” Mercantante said.

“There’s a tremendous amount of data out there that show a very dramatic reductions in motor vehicle accidents at intersections, not only the intersections with the cameras, but other intersections in the community because people become more aware.”

Mercantante said that the statistical data shows a remarkable improvement in intersection safety.

The township has already met with one company that installs and operates the cameras and will meet with another in the near future, he said.

Committeeman Gerard Scharfenberger said that he is concerned that motorists could get mistakenly fined.

“I’m all in favor of enforcing legitimate infractions, but can people get caught on a technicality if they roll too far forward?” he said .

Mercantante said that a Middletown police officer reviews every case and determines whether to issue a ticket.

“[The photos are] then provided only to the police department, and a police officer will have the responsibility of reviewing those every day and determining where summonses are appropriate to be issued or where maybe they’re not,” he said.

The municipality still issues the summonses, not the red-light camera company, Mercantante said.

He said that other benefits of the cameras include reduced court time for those summonses issued because fewer people contest the tickets.

“If you go [online] and see that you clearly ran the red light, are you going to go to court?” Mercantante said of the ability to view the photos online.

“The second the light goes from yellow to red, it takes a shot if a car crosses the line,” Mercantante said.

The cameras take several photos of the car just crossing the line, the car in the intersection, and a zoomed-in shot of the license plate, he said.

The ticket is an $85 fine with no points, Mercantante said.

The camera installation and maintenance does not cost the township; instead, the revenue from the fine is divided between the state, the company and the municipality as set by state law, Mercantante said.

According to Mercantante, the municipality submits locations for consideration and the state Department of Transportation considers traffic data, accident data and other information and makes the final decision.

“There are definitely some intersections that are valid locations,” he said.

No final decisions on companies or locations have been made.