Four months and 4,330 tickets later, traffic enforcement cameras at Route 70 and Springdale Road have got residents talking.
On April 25, the cameras debuted as part of a pilot program sponsored by the state Department of Transportation.
The intersection, which was identified by the police department as having a high volume of daily traffic, sees about 80,000 vehicles per day, township spokesman Dan Keashen said.
After a one-month test period, drivers caught breaking traffic laws on camera began to receive $85 tickets.
The enforcement cameras don’t automatically generate tickets, though.
Police officers review footage from the day each night and individually assess offenders.
Mayor Bernie Platt said the cameras have, so far, proven beneficial to the township.
“First and foremost, the cameras provide us with an opportunity to make this heavily-traveled intersection safer, by discouraging motorists from running red lights, and subsequently penalizing the offenders. At the same time, the automated nature of the system frees up local police officers to focus their efforts on monitoring neighborhood streets — allowing us to maximize the effectiveness of our existing police resources and ultimately cutting down on speeding and other offenses in our residential areas,” Platt said.
Here at The Cherry Hill Sun, we’ve received a number of comments on our website regarding the red light cameras.
A few residents have shared their thoughts and complaints about recently receiving an unfriendly piece of mail to the tune of $85.
Here’s what some of you posted:
On July 20, D.M. said, “I did receive a ticket/fine for the right turn on red at the Springdale intersection. I’m fighting it. What the camera can’t detect is my stopping initially in the second lane behind another car, my changing lanes and then making a right on red instead of proceeding through the intersection there. The right-hand turn lane detection zones is set at an obtuse angle to the intersection, forcing drivers into the intersection in order to check for the possibility of traffic coming at you. It’s clearly a setup designed to generate revenue. Let’s see how hard up Cherry Hill is for the cash.”
On Aug. 25, J.A. said, “I also last week received (a) ticket for right turn on red onto Springdale Road from Rt. 70 West. It seems a little suspect here. You may be right about being forced into the intersection in order to check traffic and tripping that sensor. There is a sign there that says ‘Stop here on red,’ but there is no sign that says ‘No turn on red’ here. It appears you have to come to a complete stop, as previous poster states. No rolling the right turn.”
As it turns out, it is legal to make a right turn, but cars must make a full and complete stop at the intersection. Township officials said there is no signage posted at the traffic signal that says “No turn on red.”
According to state law (N.J.S.A. 39:4–115), “…intending to turn right at an intersection where traffic is controlled by a traffic control signal, shall, unless an official sign of the State, municipality or county having jurisdiction over the intersection prohibits the same, proceed to make the turn upon a ‘stop’ or ‘caution’ signal with proper care to avoid accidents after coming to a full stop, observing traffic in all directions…”
J.T., who commented on the original story on June 10, got it right. Here’s what he had to say.
“To the Right on red folks. Even if you are permitted to make a right on red, by the law you are required to come to a complete stop before proceeding with your turn, as you would at a stop sign where you were making a right hand turn. It’s a little ridiculous, since most of us know how the flow of traffic works at that intersection and there are times when you know based on which side has the green that you are free and clear to make your turn. And you would hope the police take common sense into consideration. But the law says stop first. It is what it is.”
The police department hasn’t collected sufficient data from the cameras yet to see if the intersection is safer, but plans to do so in the near future.
While residents may be concerned about the fine that comes along with the ticket, or having their picture taken at the intersection, Platt said cameras are helping to make the township a safer place to drive.
“While there are some who believe the cameras will invade drivers’ privacy, I believe the expectation of privacy goes out the window when you run a red light, break the law, and endanger countless unsuspecting drivers affected by your decision,” Platt said.
“These cameras are a proven deterrent to running red lights, and it is an important step in making our streets and crosswalks safer for both pedestrians and drivers.”
