Gov. Kathy Hochul today signed into law various bills that are designed to promote safety on the roads, including legislation that continues and expands the use of red light cameras in Westchester and elsewhere in the state.
Hochul signed legislation to extend the use of red light cameras already being used in Mount Vernon, White Plains and New Rochelle while authorizing the Town of Greenburgh to begin a new red light camera program.
In addition, continued use of red light cameras is authorized in Albany and Nassau County on Long Island. Additional legislation allows New York City to dramatically increase the number of intersections where red light cameras are in use from 150 to 600.
Also signed into law was legislation that requires all passengers on charter buses over the age of eight to use the seatbelts provided on the buses.
Hochul signed a bill authorizing the City of Kingston to establish a speed camera program for up to three school zones. Also becoming law was a bill that expands the reckless driving statute to include parking lots. There has been some concern about drag racing and other potentially dangerous driving that cannot be prosecuted because it occurs in parking lots rather than on public streets.
Another bill Hochul signed into law increases penalties for repeatedly illegally passing a stopped school bus. The fine for a third or subsequent violation within three years will rise from $1,000 to $1,500.
“Today is not a one-off. It’s part of a larger vision for an overall safer New York,” Hochul said. “By quadrupling the number of red light cameras in New York City and empowering other localities, raising the penalties for school buses, we’re building on other major traffic safety initiatives, working closely with our local mayors.”
She said that red light camera programs have been demonstrated to be effective in protecting New Yorkers from dangerous drivers.
Hochul said, “Today I am extending the authorization of programs across New York and establishing an additional program to maintain our progress on traffic safety, while creating new protections for school aged children on the road.”
White Plains Mayor Thomas Roach, who attended the bill signing said, “I am greatly appreciative of Governor Hochul’s support for our efforts to make the streets of White Plains safer. We have seen a reduction in accidents at the intersections covered by the legislation and the extension of the program will help us continue that positive trend.”
Mount Vernon Mayor Shawyn Patterson-Howard thanked Hochul for signing the legislation to extend her city’s red-light camera program.
“Mount Vernon is deeply committed to ensuring safe streets for all,” Patterson-Howard said. “This legislation plays a critical role in our road safety action plan, and these traffic-calming measures will enhance the quality of life, mobility, and accessibility for our youth and seniors as they walk, drive, and bike throughout our community.”
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins noted that she sponsored the Senate Bill S.9305A that authorized Greenburgh to start using red light cameras “in response to a clear need in the Town of Greenburgh, particularly at the intersections of Ardsley and Old Army Roads, where red light-related accidents have occurred. This initiative will protect pedestrians and promote responsible driving.”
