Hochul Signs Road Safety Legislative Package, Including Expansion of NYC Red Light Camera Program

A shot of red lights in New York City at the intersection of 3rd Avenue and E 96th Street in Manhattan, New York.Photo byPhoto by J.M. Lesinski

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed a legislative package aimed at increasing road safety across New York state, including a massive expansion of the red light camera program currently operating in New York City.

“The safety of all New Yorkers is my top priority and we know that red light camera programs are effective in protecting New Yorkers from dangerous drivers,” Hochul stated of the legislation. “Today I am extending the authorization of programs across New York and establishing an additional program to maintain our progress on traffic safety, while creating new protections for school aged children on the road.”

The legislation for New York City’s program, S2812A/A5259A, both extends and expands the program, authorizing the program through 2027 and increasing the total amount of intersections with red light cameras from 150 to 600.

“Red-light cameras save lives,” remarked New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez of the legislation. “Red-light running is a major contributing factor to traffic fatalities and the data speaks for itself: where we’ve installed these cameras, red-light running and related crashes have dropped 73 percent. In the coming months, we will be analyzing crash data to determine the most effective and equitable way to expand the use of this critical safety tool. We thank Mayor Adams, Governor Hochul, Assemblymember Dinowitz, Senator Gounardes, and elected officials at both the city and state levels for their support to make our streets safer.”

The legislative package also extends red light camera programs in the following cities and counties: White Plains, Albany, Nassau County, Mount Vernon, and New Rochelle, with the town of Greenburgh also establishing a completely new program.

"Today's signing of A.5259A is a monumental step forward for the safety of New Yorkers,” New York State Assemblymember Jeffrey Dinowitz noted of the legislation. “By expanding the number of intersections with red light cameras in New York City from 150 to 600, we are taking strong action to curb reckless driving and reduce traffic fatalities. This legislation reinforces our commitment to using proven technology to protect pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. I am proud to work with Governor Hochul and State Senator Gounardes to make our roads safer and hold dangerous drivers accountable. With these additional cameras, we will help save lives, prevent tragedies across our city, and reduce the number of interactions between police and motorists."

Additional legislation of note includes S.9504A/A.3120A, which raises the penalties for overtaking and passing any school bus, and S760B/A402B, which broadens the current reckless driving statute to officially include parking lots.

"It will be a year in January since I experienced a traumatic car crash, as a pedestrian, that left me with a broken arm,” commented New York State Assemblymember Jessica González-Rojas. “I walked away from the crash with my life, but so many others are not as fortunate. Every New Yorker that is killed from a traffic crash is a loved one who will never return home. This year, 88 pedestrians have been killed, 24 of them in Queens. Many of these victims are small children like 8-year-old Bayron Palomino Arroyo of East Elmhurst and 7-year-old Dolma Naadhun from Astoria, both of whom lost their lives. We have to do better. Renewing and expanding the Red Light Camera program across New York City will reinforce the necessary work we are doing to keep everyone safe. I'm proud to join today's event and to do my part in moving us closer to safer streets for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. Safer streets save lives.”