N.J. wants to double the number of towns with red-light cameras by 2013

Have you gotten nabbed yet by one of New Jersey’s growing number of red-light cameras?

The note comes in the mail — a ticket, in fact, that may even be unexpected, sent to the car’s registered owner. And it’s a tough case to argue: Violators get several photos of their alleged crime and even a link to an online video that shows the police department’s typically irrefutable evidence.

The cameras are part of a five-year pilot program. It’s been a boon to the municipalities that already have cameras up and running. Other towns have been more reluctant to participate amid concerns the cameras may cause some accidents, and a public outcry from residents and drivers’ advocates who argue the equipment simply isn’t fair.

But the state Department of Transportation, which is overseeing the information-gathering effort, has a mandate to have two dozen municipalities — twice the current number — with working cameras when the pilot ends in January 2013. Now, department officials said, they’re getting more aggressive in finding towns that are serious about the initiative.

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http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/04/nj_wants_to_double_the_number.html

There are so many things wrong with red-light cameras, but this one really stands out: You are allowed to enter an intersection with a yellow light even if it turns red before you complete the intersection. If there's a photo of your car in the intersection showing a red light, how can you prove the light was yellow to begin with? You're guilty.

And to avoid getting into that scenario, you would have to slam on your brakes upon seeing a yellow signal, risking yourself and the driver behind you to a rear collision. Not to mention the lights have been re-callibrated to less time between green and red signals. I found a light that was less than 15 seconds, making it impossible to complete the intersection unless you were speeding.

Cash cows for the towns and they even save money by not paying cops to pull you over and write the tickets.

It's not a perfect system, but I'm all for deterring people from violating traffic laws.

I was surprised today when a cop stopped me in Montvale and said he was looking for my seatbelt to be fastened. I saw a roadblock like that the other day in Demarest and thought freggin a prisoner escaped or something. Now I know it was just one of these seatbelt-chekcing points. Never thought they would go that far for this piddling crap.