Automated Red Light Enforcement Coming To Bensalem

BENSALEM TOWNSHIP, PA —The township will join two other communities that have automated red light photo enforcement by placing cameras at two troubled intersections.

Bensalem Township Council heard a presentation by Robert Bugsch, the police department's special operations commander, at its meeting Monday night regarding a pilot project at the intersection of Knights and Street roads and Route 1 and Old Lincoln Highway.

The council had amended its Automated Red-Light Enforcement Systems ordinance so those cameras could be added and motorists who drive through red lights at those intersections will be penalized.

Bugsch told the council that the technology is similar to what's used by Abington and Philadelphia in that the automated red light photo enforcement captures the license plate of motorists who are speeding and processes the violation automatically.

He said the two intersections will be tested in the pilot program because they are the biggest issues for the police department.

Accidents have plagued the two intersections for years, township officials said.

Council President Edward Kisselback stated, in referencing a "Time" magazine article, that there were 252 accidents on Knights and Street roads and 189 accidents at Route 1 and Old Lincoln Highway over a five-year period.

The program is expected to be put in place within 30 to 60 days.

If the pilot program succeeds, Bugsch said it could be instituted at other intersections in the township.

Bugsch said, though, that motorists won't be penalized immediately.

He said warning notices will be issued first for violators over the first two months of the pilot program before $100 tickets will be issued.

Motorists will not have points on their driver's licenses if they violate the red light cameras. A system will also be put in place for drivers seeking to argue the penalties where motorists can explain themselves.

Councilwoman Stacey Champion asked whether the township would be reviewing the tickets first. A hearing officer would be hired to review the violation before a ticket is mailed out. A motorist could appeal to the district court.

Champion asked what success Abington has had with its program and Bugsch said Abington has seen a reduction.

"We have to try something," Councilman Joseph Knowles said. "It's a pretty bad intersection."

The pilot program also comes at no cost to the township. Bugsch said that the company providing the system installation makes money through ticket processing and collection of overdue tickets.