TINTON FALLS — A forensic video analysis of red-light traffic cameras in New Jersey has found what many ticketed motorists have long contended: The yellow lights are too quick.

Working with an expert in video timing, state Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon (R-Monmouth) said today the yellow light times were shorter than what is required by law, causing drivers to be ticketed illegally.

Some of the lights were nearly a quarter-second off, according to the analysis.

"It means you are illegally fining and ticketing 30 percent of people who are getting these infractions if you shave off two-tenths of a second or so," O’Scanlon said.

Questions about the timing of New Jersey’s red-light cameras led to the program being temporarily suspended last summer, but the state Department of Transportation wouldn’t say what the latest challenge could mean.

"We look forward to reviewing any material submitted by Assemblyman O’Scanlon to our department and appreciate his concerns on the red-light camera issue," DOT spokesman Joe Dee said.

Video analysis of the controversial red-light traffic cameras in New Jersey has found that yellow lights don't permit motorists enough time to get through intersections, said Assemblyman Declan O'Scanlon (R-Monmouth).

Barnet Fagel of Chicago runs a forensic video service called Red Light Doctor. He analyzed the yellow-light times at red-light camera intersections in New Jersey at the request of Joe Santoli, a Ridgewood lawyer whose clients have complained the yellow-light times are too quick.

Fagel said he determined that yellow lights turned too quickly at Route 82 and Stuyvesant Avenue in Union Township; JF Kennedy Boulevard and Communipaw Avenue in Jersey City; Routes 1&9 and Sip Avenue in Jersey City; Market Street and Raymond Boulevard in Newark; Route 82 and Maple Avenue in Springfield; and Route 28 and Locust Street in Roselle Park.

"Not much shocks me, but this did shock me," O’Scanlon said.

New Jersey follows a standard that calls for the timing of yellow lights to be set at one second for every 10 mph of the posted speed limit. For example, a yellow light on a road with a 50 mph speed limit should allow motorists 5 seconds to pass through the intersection before the light changes to red.

By any standard, New Jersey fails, O’Scanlon said.

In videos shown today during a news conference in Tinton Falls, yellow lights were short by a quarter of a second, robbing motorists of precious time to get through intersections before being ticketed, O’Scanlon said.

Charles Territo, vice president of communications for American Traffic Solutions, one of two vendors for red-light cameras in New Jersey, defended the cameras.

"Red light safety cameras are designed to change driver behavior and reduce the number of collisions, injuries and fatalities resulting from red-light running," he said. "In New Jersey the number of red-light running related collisions and violations continues to decrease. Yellow-light timing for all ATS customers is set and certified by (New Jersey) DOT."

Of the eight intersections presented at today’s news conference, the biggest yellow-light time discrepancy was at Route 1&9 and Sip Avenue in Jersey City, which is supposed to be 4 seconds, but allows 3.753 seconds, according to the video analysis.

"One-tenth of a second doesn’t sound like much, but when you’re going 40 mph, you can go a long distance in a tenth of second," said Santoli.

On June 19, 2012, the state DOT suspended 63 of the 85 cameras in the state over questions about whether the yellow lights were giving motorists enough time to get through intersections.

The suspension was lifted 36 days later, after the DOT determined the cameras met standards.

O’Scanlon said his study shows the yellow lights are still too quick, and that camera companies continue to make millions from unsuspecting motorists.

"They use safety as a veil to cover their hand reaching in our pockets," he said.

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