Serious Accidents, Injuries Down at 'Red Light Cam' Intersections

The most serious types of car crashes – and the rate at which they caused injuries to parties involved – dropped last year at the two intersections in Brick that are outfitted with red light violation cameras.

According to police data, the number of right-angle, commonly called t-bone, crashes was cut in half in 2011 compared with 2010.

Of the drivers and passengers involved in those types of crashes, there was a 60 percent reduction in the number of people who suffered injuries as a result.

The data is kept as part of Brick's participation in a state pilot program to study the effectiveness of red light cameras in promoting roadway safety.

According to Brick Police Capt. John Rein, the cameras are designed to change drivers' behavior to reduce crashes, particularly right angle crashes, and red light violations at intersection with high crash and violation rates.

"Right angle crashes caused by drivers running a red light, in most cases, result in serious injuries to occupants and more damage to vehicles," Rein said.

Right angle crashes are also the most common the type of collision caused by a driver running a red light, Rein said.

Overall, the number of accidents at the intersection of Brick Boulevard and Chambers Bridge Road – the intersection for which data was readily available – remained relatively steady. From Feb. 1, 2011 to Jan. 31, 2012, there were 25 accidents at the intersection. In the same time period the previous year, there were 24.

Rear-end accidents, which critics of red light cameras argue rise in number after the devices are installed, remained virtually flat, rising from 13 to 14.

Right angle accidents fell from seven to three, and left-turn accidents fell from three to two.

The change in driver behavior thanks to the presence of the cameras is working, statistics show.

According to records from American Traffic Solutions, the company that owns and manages Brick's cameras, 95 percent of the vehicles that received a violation notice from one of the cameras have not received another red-light running violation. Of the 5 percent of vehicles that have received multiple violations, many are businesses or corporations that operate multiple vehicles.

In 2011, more than 13,000 violations were recorded.

The data also shows that word about the cameras is out in Brick. About 70 percent of the violations recorded from the cameras were from people whose vehicles were registered outside of the township.

Statistical data also shows when most of the violations occur. In general, recordings spike on Fridays, and in the 3 p.m. hour regardless of the day of the week.

Over 250 drivers were caught ignoring the traffic signal on Friday at 3 p.m., making it the most dangerous combined hour and day for red-light running in Brick.

Violations are least likely to occur on Sundays.

The new numbers come as red light cameras have come under heavy debate in Brick and elsewhere. Some elected officials, including state Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon, have argued that the cameras generate revenue for municipalities but do not make roads safer.

But last week, Police Chief Nils R. Bergquist said the cameras represent a way to do more with less, and added that stationing officers around the clock at the same intersections where the cameras are located would cost $3 million.

Cameras are planned for in Brick. A camera at the intersection of Brick Boulevard and Route 70, where the roads merge, is due to come online in the next three to four months.