Res. No. 1677
Resolution calling upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation authorizing New York City to install and operate red light cameras at more than 150 intersections.
By Council Members Van Bramer, Levin, Brewer, Chin, Comrie, Dromm, Ferreras, James, Koo, Koppell, Lander, Mark-Viverito, Palma, Rose and Rodriguez
Whereas, Red light cameras help enforce traffic laws by automatically photographing vehicles that disobey stop lights; and
Whereas, The camera is triggered by any vehicle entering an intersection above a preset minimum speed, and it records the date, time of day, time elapsed since the beginning of the red signal, vehicle speed, and license plate, and Notices of Liability are mailed to the registered owners of the violating vehicles; and
Whereas, The New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) has been operating a Red Light Camera Program since 1993; and
Whereas, According to DOT, intersections where cameras have been installed have seen a 56% decline in serious injuries, a 44% decrease in pedestrian injuries and a 16% decrease in all injuries; and
Whereas, The presence of red light cameras serves as a deterrent; red-light violations have dropped by 40 to 60 percent at locations where they have been installed, according to DOT; and
Whereas, The State Vehicle and Traffic Law currently authorizes the City to operate red light cameras at only 150 intersections at any one time; and
Whereas, Given the demonstrated success of the City's Red Light Camera Program at making the limited intersections where it has been deployed significantly safer for drivers, passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians, the program should be expanded to as many intersections as possible; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the New York State Legislature to pass, and the Governor to sign, legislation authorizing New York City to install and operate red light cameras at more than 150 intersections.
LS# 4342 & 4416
3/7/2013
JM