NEW YORK.– As part of her commitment to public safety, Governor Kathy Hochul signed into law this Monday legislation that extends until the year 2030 the operation of the speed camera program in school zones in New York City. This measure seeks to continue reducing reckless driving in areas highly frequented by students, senior citizens, and pedestrians in general.
"Speed cameras save lives and are key tools for keeping our streets safe. This extension means that our children will be able to walk to school more safely, and that every New Yorker will be able to move more confidently through their community," Hochul said when enacting the law.
Strong results: less speed, fewer victims
Since the first cameras were installed in 2013, the statistics support their effectiveness: speeding violations in the monitored areas have fallen by 94%, and deaths or serious injuries have been reduced by 14% compared to areas without automated monitoring.
With this new legislation (S.8344/A.8787), the state updates the legal framework to eliminate outdated provisions and ensure the program's continuity at least until July 1, 2030.
Operating 24 hours a day has been key
In 2022, Hochul expanded the scope of the system to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Since that expansion, an 8% decrease in nighttime and weekend incidents has been observed, times that were previously outside of regular surveillance hours.
Currently, more than "2,400 speed cameras" are active in the city's five boroughs, as part of a road safety strategy that has been described as one of the most effective in the country.
Strong legislative support
State Senator Andrew Gounardes, one of the main proponents of the project, maintained that the data leaves no room for doubt. "Speeding continues to be one of the main causes of death on our streets. This program has proven to work: where there are cameras, drivers slow down," he declared.
With this action, New York State is consolidated as a national benchmark in the implementation of technology for road protection, and reaffirms its policy of zero tolerance towards reckless driving in school environments. 
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