New York City officials are set to quadruple its number of red-light camera installations to 600 by the end of the year, a move aimed at cracking down on reckless driving and reducing traffic accidents.
Currently operating at 150 intersections, the cameras will be rolled out to an additional 50 locations per week for the next five weeks, before eventually covering all proposed sites. The city's Transportation Commissioner, Mike Flynn, claims that this expansion is necessary to combat a major contributor to street safety: red light running.
According to Flynn, these cameras have been proven to significantly reduce accidents, with a 73% decrease in red-light-running incidents at intersections where they are installed. He also stated that the agency will be pairing its increased enforcement efforts with ambitious street redesigns to further enhance road safety.
The deployment of new cameras follows pressure from former Mayor Eric Adams and was made possible by a state law passed earlier this year, allowing for the installation of cameras at 600 intersections nationwide.
While officials are tight-lipped about the exact locations of new installations, they did confirm that targeted areas with high rates of crashes will be prioritized. Those caught running red lights can expect to receive a $50 ticket from the cameras.
City data suggests that the program is having a positive impact, with T-bone crashes decreasing by 65% and rear-end collisions by 49% at intersections equipped with the cameras. As for revenue generated by the program, $20 million in net income was secured in 2024, highlighting the financial benefits of increased enforcement.
By bolstering its red-light camera program and implementing street redesigns, New York City aims to significantly improve road safety and protect its citizens from reckless driving.
Currently operating at 150 intersections, the cameras will be rolled out to an additional 50 locations per week for the next five weeks, before eventually covering all proposed sites. The city's Transportation Commissioner, Mike Flynn, claims that this expansion is necessary to combat a major contributor to street safety: red light running.
According to Flynn, these cameras have been proven to significantly reduce accidents, with a 73% decrease in red-light-running incidents at intersections where they are installed. He also stated that the agency will be pairing its increased enforcement efforts with ambitious street redesigns to further enhance road safety.
The deployment of new cameras follows pressure from former Mayor Eric Adams and was made possible by a state law passed earlier this year, allowing for the installation of cameras at 600 intersections nationwide.
While officials are tight-lipped about the exact locations of new installations, they did confirm that targeted areas with high rates of crashes will be prioritized. Those caught running red lights can expect to receive a $50 ticket from the cameras.
City data suggests that the program is having a positive impact, with T-bone crashes decreasing by 65% and rear-end collisions by 49% at intersections equipped with the cameras. As for revenue generated by the program, $20 million in net income was secured in 2024, highlighting the financial benefits of increased enforcement.
By bolstering its red-light camera program and implementing street redesigns, New York City aims to significantly improve road safety and protect its citizens from reckless driving.
I'm so sick of these cameras everywhere! I get it, accidents are a big deal, but do we really need 600 cameras?! It's just gonna make the city feel like a dystopian surveillance state 
. And what about all those innocent people who just accidentally run red lights? They're not trying to cause trouble, they're just having a bad day 
. I don't think $50 is a harsh enough fine for a single mistake. And have you seen the prices of tickets lately?! It's like they're just trolling us 
. Maybe instead of cameras, we should focus on improving our education system so people actually know how to drive safely 
. This camera thing just feels like a Band-Aid solution to me...
is it really that bad out there? I mean, 73% decrease in accidents at intersections with cameras sounds pretty good, but isn't it a bit invasive? Like, people might get fined for just having a split second of hesitation at an intersection. And what's the deal with the $50 tickets? Is it worth risking that to get to work or school on time? 
I'm also curious about these 'ambitious street redesigns'... how much are they gonna cost and what kind of changes can we expect? Are they gonna make roads more bike-friendly or just more police-enforced? 
I'm all for it! 
Those cameras are a game-changer, especially with the numbers showing a 73% decrease in red-light-running incidents. It's crazy how much of a difference they can make. Plus, the city is being proactive about prioritizing areas with high crash rates - that makes so much sense. The fact that revenue is also coming in from these cameras is just icing on the cake! 
600 is a lot but id rather be safe than sorry u know? 
the numbers are crazy tho - 73% decrease in accidents at intersections with cameras? that's insane! 
. and $20 million in revenue? yeah please, take all the $$$ 
can't wait to see how this all plays out 
i mean, who doesnt wanna be safe on the roads? i read that theyve already seen a 73% decrease in red light runnin incidents @ intersections where the cameras are installed... thats straight fire 
! and lets not forget about the $20 million in revenue they made last yr 
. i mean, who doesn't love the feeling of being tracked 24/7 by a mechanical eye? and let's be real, $50 is basically a cost of doing business when you're already paying upwards of $3 per gallon for gas 
. Plus, with the state law allowing for more installations, it's a win-win for both road safety and the city's revenue 
. Let's hope this program continues to yield positive results and keeps our streets safer 
600 cameras = more speeding tickets for you 
. and what about the cost? $20 million is nothing compared to all these cameras that will be added... thats just gonna raise more money for the city 
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73% decrease? That's crazy! And I'm all for safer roads. The new installations will be rolled out pretty fast, so who knows what other improvements we'll see soon? Maybe some more pedestrian-friendly zones or bike lanes? 
Fingers crossed that the city is doing its part to reduce congestion and make traveling around the city a breeze 
Plus, the fact that we can expect to make some serious cash from the program ($20 million last year) means there's gotta be a good reason for it! Let's just hope they don't become too invasive... but I'm willing to take the chance if it means less reckless driving on our streets. 
. it's awesome that they're pairing enforcement efforts with redesigns to improve overall safety. and $20 million net income is a nice bonus too