Dear Editor:

On Thursday, Feb. 16, our police department received a complaint regarding the public totally disregarding the laws regarding allowed turns on a red light. The complaint dealt with traffic traveling west on Route 70 and making a right turn into Colonial Drive.

The complainant indicated he witnessed six vehicles making right turns on the red light into Colonial Drive, without coming to a full stop. The sixth vehicle that made the right turn almost caused an accident.

Taking the complaint seriously, the Chief of Police directed an increase in enforcement at this intersection. As a result, on Wednesday, Feb. 22, between the hours of 12:15 and 3:00 p.m. a total of 11 summonses were issued and there were six verbal warnings issued. This should serve as a heads up to our residents.

Prior to making a turn on a red light, the law requires that you come to a full stop. The Manchester Police Department will continue to enforce these laws.

Another situation recently brought to our attention is the continued abuse of the law by contractors and others who have commercial vehicles used in the conduct of their business and who do not have commercial license plates. In addition to having commercial plates, the law requires that the vehicle displays the name of the business and the name of the municipality where the business is registered and the gross weight of the vehicle.

The operators of these vehicles in violation of the law, are in effect stealing money from the State of New Jersey hurting each and every honest resident. One just has to spend a few minutes in front of a Home Depot or a Lowe's to view the number of commercial vehicles being loaded with building or electrical material that are in violation of the commercial license plate requirement.

As I write this I am asking our police department for an all-out effort to level the playing field and seek out the violators of these state statutes.

Sincerely,

Michael Fressola
Manchester Mayor