New York City’s school zone speed camera program has received a significant extension following the recent signing of legislation by Governor Kathy Hochul, set to last through July 1, 2030. This move has elicited mixed reactions among New Yorkers throughout the city.
On June 30, Hochul signed the bill, S.8344/A.8787, aimed at renewing home-rule provisions that were originally established in 2013 to authorize the use of automated speed cameras in school zones across the city.
“It’s simple: speed cameras save lives and keep New Yorkers safe,” the governor stated. “There is no greater priority for me than the safety of New Yorkers, and strengthening New York City’s speed camera program means safer streets for everyone—from kids walking to school to seniors crossing the street, to cyclists commuting home.”
According to a press release from the governor’s office, this new law secures the ongoing implementation of speed cameras aimed at decreasing reckless driving in school zones until the expiration date of the legislation.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes (D-Brooklyn), who sponsored the bill, echoed the governor’s sentiment, stating that the effectiveness of the program is backed by hard facts.
“At this point, there are no questions, just facts: speeding kills, and speed cameras save lives,” said Gounardes. “No New Yorker should fear for their life while traveling on our streets. The speed camera program works. Where there are cameras, drivers slow down and speeding plummets.”
Assembly Member Deborah Glick (D-Manhattan), who also backed the legislation, expressed satisfaction with the program’s renewal. She noted its success in reducing injuries and fatalities in school zones across Lower Manhattan.
“New York City’s school zone speed camera program has been incredibly successful in slowing motorists down and drastically reducing injuries and deaths in the streets around our schools,” Glick stated.
Governor Hochul has a history of renewing traffic enforcement measures, including a significant expansion of the school speed camera program in 2022, which allowed the cameras to operate around the clock. Just last month, as part of a $254 million state budget agreement, she worked to enhance an existing construction zone speed camera program across the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA) seven bridges and two tunnels.
However, not everyone in the city is in favor of increased speed camera enforcement. Some drivers have raised concerns that the program prioritizes revenue over safety.
One Manhattan resident, Sean-Patrick Hillman, told amNewYork that he views the speed-camera system as a “cash grab” rather than a legitimate safety initiative.
“Governor Hochul loves pushing revenue streams for the state that are disguised as ‘protecting the public,’” he commented. “While, yes, they do some good in certain areas like schools, as usual, Albany has abused the program by rolling them out everywhere. That isn’t safety; that is a cash grab.”
A Staten Islander, Linda DeForge, expressed her belief that the cameras encourage unsafe driving behaviors.
“They are not beneficial for New Yorkers and create driving hazards. People are more worried about the cameras than focusing on other cars and pedestrians,” she stated. “How about focusing on people with front tinted windows parking in handicap spots without a placard because you can’t see in to prove it?”
Despite the ongoing debate, evidence supports the assertion that speed cameras contribute to improved street safety. Reports indicate that collisions involving most vehicles have dropped by over 10% compared to the same period in 2024, although incidents involving e-bikes have risen by more than 8% during the same timeframe.
Transportation advocates, along with the NYC Department of Transportation (DOT), have been strong supporters of renewing the speed-camera program this year.
“The data is clear: speed cameras save lives, and their use has made our streets safer for everyone, reducing deaths and serious injuries wherever they are located,” said City Transportation Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “While one fatality is one too many, it is no coincidence that with the largest network of cameras in the country, New York City is defying national rates of traffic fatalities. We thank Governor Hochul, the legislature, and all the advocates who successfully fought for this renewal.”
The DOT has also lobbied for additional legislation aimed at curbing speeding through a proposed bill, the Stop Super Speeders legislation, which would mandate speed-limiting devices in certain vehicles. Unfortunately, this bill did not make it through the legislative session.
image source from：amny
