Recently, New York City has installed red-light cameras at 600 intersections citywide, reaching the numerical limit allowed under state law. This push for a mass installation comes as several city officials say that about 22% of fatal intersection crashes over the past 4 years have been caused by red-light running.
These cameras have already been proven as a solid solution to deter red light running in most areas, with the influx of these cameras dropping massively.
City Officials Mike Flynn and Diana Moreno have released several statements regarding the issue of red light running and the reason for mass installations through the streets of the city and why they are needed going forward.
“This behavior is not only selfish, but it’s one of the most dangerous driving behaviors,” Commissioner Mike Flynn said regarding citizens who choose to embrace red light running.
With Moreno ensuring it “will undoubtedly save lives,”.
“Red light running is responsible for almost a quarter of all traffic fatalities at intersections,” he said.
The announcement also highlighted the toll of deadly crashes and how it affects the families of victims of these intersection crashes. State Sen. Kristin Gonzalez, representing the Queens district, said she had attended memorial ceremonies for victims of traffic crashes and that children shouldn’t have to be afraid to cross the street when passing or walking at intersections. The Department of Transportation has stated that red-light cameras have reduced red-light running by 80% at camera locations, as well as T-bone crashes going down by 65% and rear-end collisions by 49%.
With city officials state this is only the start. They are going to continue to fight for direct results to improve street safety for each street and citizen in New York City, with roughly one in 23 intersections across the city now having red light cameras.
