Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
Lawmakers likely to extend NYC speed cameras for 3 years
By
Jon Campbell
Published May 20, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Jon Campbell
Published May 20, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
New York state lawmakers appear to have struck a deal on a bill that will allow New York City to extend its soon-to-expire speed camera program and keep the devices running 24 hours a day.
State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, D-Brooklyn, introduced legislation late Thursday that would allow the cameras in school zones to continue operating until July 1, 2025, a three-year reprieve for the program that was due to lapse in six weeks.
Gounardes first confirmed the agreement to the New York Post and Mayor Eric Adams later issued a statement touting the deal.
Adams had initially pushed to make the speed cameras permanent, pointing to them as a potentially life-saving tool aimed at improving traffic safety. He traveled to the state Capitol on Tuesday to push for his legislative agenda, including the three-year extension after lawmakers balked at a permanent one.
“Make no mistake about it, this is a major victory for New Yorkers that will save lives and help stem the tide of traffic violence that has taken too many,” Adams said in a statement.
This is a major victory for New Yorkers that will save lives.
New York City Mayor Eric Adams
The state Legislature authorized the current speed-camera program in 2019. It allows the city to operate cameras in up to 750 school zones that use automated radar technology to catch speeders. The cameras issue $50 tickets to those traveling at least 10 miles per hour over the speed limit.
Under the 2019 law, the cameras can only operate from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. But under Gounardes’ bill, the cameras will be allowed to operate at all hours.
The new bill has not yet been introduced in the Assembly, but is expected to be sponsored by veteran Manhattan Assemblymember Deborah Glick, a Democrat. A spokesperson for Assembly Democrats couldn’t immediately be reached for comment late Thursday.
Gounardes, meanwhile, had been pushing for additional measures that would have bolstered the program.
The prior version of his bill would have boosted punishments for repeat offenders, suspending the registration of any vehicle that was the subject of five speed-camera tickets in two years. But the bill introduced Thursday night stripped those provisions out, opting instead for the simpler three-year extension.
State lawmakers are scheduled to end their annual legislative session on June 2, meaning the bill would likely have to be approved before then to avoid letting the speed cameras expire.
Despite the emerging agreement in Albany, it’s not quite a done deal.
Now, it will be up to the New York City Council to approve what’s known as a home rule message – essentially a request for Albany to pass a bill affecting the city – before state lawmakers put the bill to a vote.
The way the bill is currently constructed, the state Legislature will likely have to wait for the Council to approve the message before taking up the measure. In his statement, Adams said he will next turn his attention to city lawmakers.
“I now look forward to working with our partners in the City Council to deliver safer streets and a safer city for New Yorkers,” he said.
This story has been updated with additional information.
Jon Campbell
Jon Campbell covers the New York State Capitol for WNYC and Gothamist. Prior to that, he covered the Capitol for more than a decade for the USA TODAY Network. He has twice earned the Walter T. Brown Memorial Award, an honor given annually by the Legislative Correspondents Association alumni for outstanding state government coverage. Jon grew up in the Buffalo area and graduated from the University at Albany. Got a tip? Email Jon at [email protected] or Signal at JonCampbellNY.90.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Queens man found dead, police say, and injured woman is his mother, neighbors say
Police are investigating a related incident in which a 62-year-old woman was found injured beneath the Van Wyck Expressway.
By
Charles Lane
Published Oct 14, 2026 at 7:39 p.m. ET
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
News
Man shot by ICE in NYC's Marble Hill said federal officers never identified themselves
The wounded man said he didn't learn ICE agents were involved until he woke up in the hospital.
By
Arya Sundaram
and
Samantha Max
Brooklyn school dean says MTA officers assaulted him over a $3 bus fare he says he paid
By
Carol Chen
National Grid customers in NYC will see higher gas bills this winter
By
Rosemary Misdary
Bruce Blakeman joins Gov. Hochul in support for expanding NY rape law
By
Jon Campbell
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .