April 10, 2007

Suozzi Calls for Cameras at Traffic Lights to Improve Road Safety

-- ‘Red-Light’ Cameras Have Proven Safety Record; Measure Needs State Legislative Approval

Mineola, N.Y. - To improve driver and pedestrian safety, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi today called on the State to allow Nassau to install 50 “red-light” cameras at high-risk intersections throughout the County. These cameras would take digital images of the license plates of vehicles running red lights, and the County would then mail $50 summons to the cars’ registered owners.

The measure, which needs approval from the State Legislature, was introduced into the State Senate by Senators Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick), Kemp Hannon (R-Garden City) and Carl Marcellino (R-Syosset). Assemblyman Charles Lavine (D-Glen Cove) is sponsoring it in the Assembly. After being approved by the State, the measure would then need Nassau County Legislature approval.

New York City is the only municipality in the State that has Albany’s permission to install red-light cameras – and the results have been dramatic. The City reported a 73% drop in violations between 1994, when the cameras first went up, and 2005. Additionally, the City reported a 41% reduction in collisions and 35% drop in vehicular fatalities. And Philadelphia, which also has red-light cameras, reported a 72% reduction in violations between March 2005 and July 2006.

“I urge Albany approve the installation of these life-saving cameras at our highest-risk intersections,” Suozzi said. “They are powerful tools that will help us reduce the number of car accidents and car-accident deaths, while giving us the ammunition we need to go after dangerous scofflaws.”

“Drivers who run red lights cause higher speed, higher impact accidents, which put innocent lives at risk,” said Senator Charles Fuschillo. “These cameras will deter drivers from recklessly speeding through red lights, and will go a long way towards saving lives, reducing injuries and preventing tragedies on the roads in Nassau County.”

“Protecting our citizens’ lives and safety is government’s first responsibility,” said Assemblyman Charles Lavine. “Drivers who run red lights in Nassau County pose a serious danger to other motorists, pedestrians and themselves.Because photo monitoring has consistently reduced the threat of red-light running in other municipalities, I urge my Assembly colleagues to approve the installation these life saving devices in Nassau County.”

Suozzi made today’s announcement at the intersection of Carmans Road and Louden Street. This intersection, at the entrance of the Sunrise Mall in Massapequa, has been the site of 70 accidents between 2000 and 2005, 41 of which could have been prevented if motorists had not ignored the traffic signal. Some 53 injuries resulted from those 70 crashes. And just last Friday evening, yet another crash occurred at the intersection – and accident that was the result of an ignored traffic signal.

Along with fewer accidents and fatalities, red-light cameras would increase the County’s revenue by about $7 million.