New York City Speed Cameras Issue Over 4.4 Million Violations in 2023

In Staten Island, New York, a new initiative is set to penalize speeding drivers with automated tickets. The Automated Work Zone Speed Enforcement program uses radar technology to monitor speed in work zones on major highways.

New speed cameras were launched by the New York State Department of Transportation and the New York State Thruway Authority to enhance safety in these areas. It's also part of a 2021 law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul, which aims to enhance safety in these areas and prevent injuries and fatalities due to car accidents.

As of November 20, 2023, over a dozen sites across Hudson Valley, New York City, and Long Island have been equipped with this technology. That includes parts of I-84, I-87, and I-495. Unlike fixed speed cameras, these radars are mobile, and their locations are announced on the Work Zone Safety Awareness website.

The system snaps photos of vehicles exceeding the speed limit. It captures various details such as speed, location, and time. Certified technicians review these details before issuing tickets to motorists. Fines start at $50 for first-time offenses, increasing to $75 and $100 for subsequent violations within 18 months.

Speed cameras result in an alarming number of traffic violations

Since the beginning of 2023, New York City's expanded school zone speed camera program has resulted in a staggering number of violations, accumulating fines in the hundreds of millions. These cameras have operated 24/7 since August 2022. Prior to that, they only operated from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. on weekdays.

The city is legally limited to 750 school zones for camera installation but with multiple cameras allowed per zone. About 2,000 cameras are active across the five boroughs. These cameras are positioned within a quarter-mile radius of schools. They issue $50 fines for speeds exceeding the limit by over 10 mph.

An analysis of public data on the city's Open Data page by the Staten Island Advance/SILive.com reveals the scale of issued violations up to September 26, 2023. More than 4.4 million violations were recorded in this period, averaging approximately 16,575 daily violations, 691 hourly violations, or 12 violations per minute. This resulted in total fines of $222,939,150.

Here's a breakdown of violations and fines by borough for the first nine months of 2023:

• Staten Island: 312,083 violations, $15,604,150 in fines
• Brooklyn: 1,400,365 violations, $70,018,250 in fines
• Manhattan: 330,683 violations, $16,534,150 in fines
• Queens: 1,739,351 violations, $86,967,550 in fines
• The Bronx: 676,301 violations, $33,815,050 in fines

Have New York City speed cameras helped make our roads safer?

Queens led the boroughs in violations with over 1.7 million violations, while Staten Island recorded the fewest at just over 312,000. Despite criticism suggesting the cameras prioritize revenue over safety, city officials maintain their primary goal is public safety. Their efforts aim to reduce violations and traffic fatalities.

The Department of Transportation (DOT) reported a 30% decrease in speed camera violations and a 25% reduction in traffic fatalities during the first year of round-the-clock enforcement. DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez affirmed the program's success in curbing speeding and improving safety, especially during nights and weekends.

What are my options if I'm hurt in a crash in New York City?

These speed cameras will continue to play a pivotal role in reducing car accidents throughout New York City. However, they may not catch every speeding, distracted, impaired, or reckless driver on our roadways. When their actions cause someone's injury, a Bronx attorney at Giampa Law will be ready to hold them accountable.

If you or a loved one was hurt in a crash, contact us online and schedule your free legal consultation. We'll thoroughly investigate your car accident and aggressively negotiate with insurance companies for the maximum compensation you deserve. Our goal is the best possible outcome for your case. With offices in the Bronx and Valhalla, we proudly serve clients throughout New York City, Westchester County, and the surrounding area.