Authorizes a photo radar demonstration program in N.Y. city imposing civil liability upon vehicle owners for violations of maximum speed limits

2 Co-sponsors

• Ruben Diaz
• John L. Sampson

Title of bill

An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to civil liability of vehicle owners for maximum speed limit violations and providing for the repeal of such provisions upon expiration thereof

Summary of provisions

This legislation creates a new section 1180-b in the Vehicle and Traffic Law to authorize the City of New York to conduct a three year demonstration project which utilizes photo radar devices to monitor the posted speed limits and to issue summons for failure to observe such limits. The bill also requires that a report containing detailed information be provided to the Legislature on the effectiveness of the program. The information gathered by the photo radar devices shall be used only for the purpose of carrying out this demonstration project.

Justification

Speed cameras - also known as photo radar - are used in dozens of cities across the country and abroad. Using Doppler radar and a computer monitoring system, speed cameras are aimed at a 20 degree angle across the road for up to five lanes. Once drivers exceed a threshold speed, the camera photographs the vehicle's rear license plate. As with the red light cameras, a summons is mailed to the vehicle's owner.

New York City's program has proven to be an effective traffic safety measure that prevents injuries and loss of life due to accidents caused by drivers running red lights. This legislation is proposed in a similar effort to deal with the problems caused by speeding drivers. News accounts have dubbed Queens Boulevard, a seven mile stretch of highway running through Queens County, as the Boulevard of Death since 73 pedestrians have been killed since 1993. During a period of increased police enforcement from January to February 21,2001 some 1,959 drivers were ticketed for speeding.

States that use camera enforcement have reported significant drops in speeding and accidents. Since its application is proven in New York on the basis of New York City's Red Light Camera program, this logical extension to use technology to change drivers behavior so that they obey the posted speed limit is an appropriate reaction to limiting the loss of life on busy roads, such as Queens Boulevard.

Legislative history

This legislation was previously introduced.

Fiscal implications

Enactment of this legislation would have no significant implications for the State.

Effective date

This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law and shall remain in full force and effect for three years when upon such date the provisions of this act shall be deemed repealed; provided, however, any such local laws as may be enacted pursuant to this act shall remain in full force and effect only until the expiration of three years from the date on which this act shall have become a law.