“O’Scanlon: A good step, but rip-offs continue
NJ101.5 photo
The New Jersey Department of Transportation announced yesterday that no additional red light cameras will be installed in the state under the pilot program that is scheduled to run through the end of next year, according to an Associated Press report.
The program, which includes 76 cameras throughout New Jersey, was started in 2009 ostensibly to promote public safety and reduce motor vehicle accidents. DOT says they are not installing new cameras because there is not enough time to collect data from them before the program expires.
Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon says no more data is needed from any of the cameras. They don’t enhance public safety, but are safety hazards. The program is a money grab from New Jersey motorist.
“We know these cameras do not improve safety,” O’Scanlon said, “The data is indisputable. Every objective study on this equipment demonstrates that. Subsequently, many jurisdictions are choosing to eliminate the cameras altogether. But the camera companies continue to relentlessly push for more cameras – clearly demonstrating that their only motivation is stealing more money from NJ residents. It is long past the time that New Jersey join the bandwagon and end this failed program.”
Posted: April 19th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Declan O'Scanlon, Red Light Cameras | Tags: Declan O'Scanlon, NJDOT, Red Light Cameras | 1 Comment »
Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon has been doggedly fighting for New Jersey motorists who have been getting ripped off red light cameras for months. Yesterday, O’Scanlon issued a scathing statement opposing a proposed settlement in the class action law suit against American Traffic Solutions, the Arizona company that installs and operates the red light rip offs.
U.S. District Court Judge Peter Sheridan held a hearing on the proposed settlement that would refund an average of $6 to motorist who were ticketed $85-$140 by cameras that were not properly calibrated.
“We have unequivocal, documented proof that the standard used to set yellow light times didn’t abide by the law – resulting in a huge percentage of the tickets issued as a result of these cameras to be undeserved” said O’Scanlon. “We have equally irrefutable evidence that the supposed yellow-light-timing recertification process was a sham blatantly designed from the start to justify perpetuating the status quo – rather than treat motorists fairly under the law.”
“First NJ motorists were cheated by their own state government when the DOT implemented the pilot program and didn’t follow the law, then they were screwed again in the phony yellow light recertification fiasco. They continue to be screwed by the camera companies and the local governments which collude to steal from them.” said O’Scanlon. “This settlement sells them down the river one more time – and amounts to nothing more than a get-rich-quick scheme for the attorneys involved. The beleaguered motorists of NJ have been abandoned or outright attacked by their government at every level, and relentlessly victimized by the predatory camera companies. Hopefully Judge Sheridan will take a stand and NJ Motorists will be able to count on one branch of government willing to give them a small victory.”
Sheridan has yet to rule.
Posted: March 12th, 2013 | Author: Art Gallagher | Filed under: Declan O'Scanlon, Red Light Cameras | Tags: American Traffic Solutions, ATS, Declan O'Scanlon, Judge Peter Sheridan, Red Light Cameras | 2 Comments »
