The goal of New Jersey’s red light camera program is to increase safety at hazardous intersections. That’s hasn’t happened at one location.

Lawrence Township manager Richard Krawczun says there have been almost twice as many accidents at the intersection of Route 1 and Bakers Basin Road since the red light cameras were installed.

 “I think the solution is quite simple. There are two options. Either the safety at the intersection is improved or we need to terminate the program.”

New Jersey Department of Transportation spokesman Tim Greeley says it’s not unusual for rear-end collisions to increase in the first few months after a red light camera is put up until drivers get used to them.

 “It is because of that hyperfocus. Drivers aware of where these cameras are stop short traditionally trying to avoid that ticket.”

This is only the second year of a five-year red light camera pilot program in 25 New Jersey communities, and Greeley says data about its effectiveness is still being gathered.

He says a town that no longer wanted to participate in the program would have to formally ask the DOT to withdraw from it.

 “If that were to be the case and a town made that decision, we would work with them to come to some type of resolution, mostly likely rescinding the program at their behest.