TRENTON, N.J., Aug. 5 (UPI) -- A half-million New Jersey motorists stand to get a 10-cent-on-the-dollar rebate on tickets issued as a result of red light cameras.
Eighteen municipalities in New Jersey participating in the state's pilot red light camera program were targeted in a class-action lawsuit that alleges the cameras were not properly maintained and erroneously gave out tickets to motorists who never ran a light, the South Jersey Times reported Monday. Lawyers filing the suit also said municipalities never conducted traffic studies to determine where the cameras should be placed.
The municipalities have denied the allegations but the company that manufactures the lights, American Traffic Solutions, has agreed to pay back $4.2 million to motorists who received tickets before Aug. 1, 2012, court documents indicate. Those who received a ticket will get a check for $8.50 -- 10 percent of the $85 ticket they got in the mail after one of the cameras recorded them running a red light.
A hearing in federal court is scheduled for Sept. 12 where a judge will decide whether to accept the settlement on behalf of drivers.
