Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Assemblymember Deborah Glick today announced the passage of a measure to expand the school zone speed camera program in the City of New York (A.7798-B, Glick). "Ensuring the safety of New York's children is among our highest priorities," said Speaker Heastie. "The speed camera program has been successful in curbing motorist behavior, and its expansion will surely strengthen public safety in our communities."

"In a place as densely populated as the City of New York, there is simply no reason to tolerate motorists speeding through communities, especially near schools," said Assemblymember Glick. "The current speed camera program works and has proven a sensible investment in improving the safety of our school children, caregivers, school staff and the neighboring public. It is time to expand the program and afford these benefits to other communities facing similar challenges in curbing the danger posed by reckless drivers."

The bill would increase the current cap on the number of authorized speed camera zones in the City of New York from 140 to 290 and authorize the phase-in of any of the additional cameras at the rate of 50 per year over three years. The bill's other provisions would:

• establish standards for the placement and operation of the speed cameras to ensure safety and compliance with existing traffic patterns;
• require the installation of "photo enforced" signs to notify motorists that a speed camera system is in use as well as advanced warning signs within or approaching school speed zones;
• require an updated report on the effectiveness and adequacy of the program; and
• authorize the program to operate until July 1, 2022.

New York City's current school zone speed camera program was enacted in 2013 and provided a five-year authorization for the operation of up to 140 speed safety cameras near schools. Since its inception, the program has resulted in a significant reduction in speeding infractions but under the current cap, only seven percent of the City's 1.1 million school children attend a school with a speed safety camera nearby.