New York City has installed red‑light cameras at 600 intersections, the full complement permitted under state law, Mayor Zohran Mamdani said Thursday. The expansion is part of the city’s ongoing effort to make streets safer for families and to hold dangerous drivers accountable.
Safety impact documented by city data
City officials note that red‑light running contributed to 22% of fatal intersection crashes between 2023 and 2025. Since the cameras were placed at high‑risk locations, violations have dropped by more than 80% at those sites.
According to the Department of Transportation, injuries from rear‑end collisions at camera‑equipped intersections have fallen nearly 60%, while T‑bone crash injuries have declined about 70% since the program’s rollout.
Mayor and DOT leaders praise the program
“Red‑light cameras help us get home safely by holding dangerous drivers accountable and preventing crashes before they happen,” Mayor Mamdani said. DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn added, “These cameras save lives and have proven to change driver behavior. This expansion will help reduce the unacceptable, selfish, and dangerous rise in red‑light running we’ve seen on our streets since the pandemic.”
Who is being cited?
The city reports that 95% of drivers cited in 2025 received no more than one or two violations, while fewer than 1% accumulated five or more. About 39% of citations involved vehicles registered outside New York City, indicating that the program also deters out‑of‑city drivers from endangering local residents.
Advocates welcome the maximum deployment
Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Ben Furnas called the cameras a “critical safety program,” noting that state law caps the system at 600 intersections. He said advocates hope lawmakers will eventually lift the limit so more high‑risk locations can be protected.
The Department of Transportation explained that camera sites were chosen based on a history of red‑light‑related crashes, aligning the technology with the city’s broader strategy to cut traffic deaths and injuries.
What this means for New Yorkers
For families who rely on safe streets to get to school, work, and church, the expanded camera network offers a tangible safeguard. By reducing dangerous running of red lights, the city aims to lower the risk of severe injuries and fatalities that can devastate households.
City officials plan to continue monitoring the program’s effectiveness and will share future data on crash trends and injury reductions. The hope is that the demonstrated safety gains will encourage other municipalities to consider similar measures, reinforcing the principle that responsible governance protects the lives of its citizens.
Original reporting: Brookhaven News – ABC7 New York — read the source article.
