Eliminates the time of day limitations on the use of photo speed violation monitoring systems in school zones in the city of New York

Section 4 amends the opening paragraph of Section 15 of Chapter 190 of the laws of 2013 by removing the five-year expiration originally place upon the demonstration program originally adopted by the Legislature.

Section 5 sets forth the effective date of the legislation.

Justification

In 2013, the Legislature approved a limited demonstration program to be orchestrated by the City of New York, through which the New York City Department of Transportation was authorized to install photo speed monitoring enforcement systems (e.g., "speed cameras") within some of the City's reduced speed school zones. However, this program was limited to 140 cameras Citywide. Further, temporal restrictions were placed on the operation of these cameras, limiting their use to periods during school hours, as well as an hour before and after the commencement of the school day, as well as during a period of student activities at a school, as well as a half hour before and after this activity period.

In its short history, this program has proven to be a success. Media reports indicate that as the New York City Department of Transportation installed speed cameras at particular intersections, the rate of speeding at some locations has dropped more than sixty percent. There is no question that speeding is the determining factor in a large number of the traffic fatalities facing New York City annually, including hit-and-run incidents. Further, accidents occur constantly at dangerous intersections, and this reality does not discriminate between schoolchildren and other pedestrians. Though the financial cost of speed cameras to drivers could be high, the cost involved with a persistent loss of life is a greater one. It is sensible public policy to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities through the expanded operation of speed cameras in New York City school zones.

Given the great success of the demonstration program to date, it is also sensible to make permanent the provisions relative to the use of speed camera enforcement technologies in New York City.

Prior legislative history

New bill.

Fiscal impact

TBD.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately, except that sections one and three of this act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law; provided that the amendments to paragraph 1 of subdivision (a) of section 1180-b of the vehicle and traffic law, made by section one of this act, shall not affect the expiration and reversion of such paragraph pursuant to section 12 of chapter 43 of the laws of 2014, as amended, when upon such date section two of this act shall take effect.