What to Know
- Until now, the city’s 2,000 automated speed cameras have operated on weekdays, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m.
- According to the city, this timeframe allowed for the cameras to miss 59% of traffic fatalities that took place during the time when they were required to be turned off
- Speed cameras, according to the city, have also been proven to slow speeding by 72%
New York City speed cameras will officially make the transition to 24/7 across the five boroughs Monday night as part of a sweeping bid to lower traffic fatalities.
The switch gets flipped at 10 p.m. and at that point, the city's 2,000 cameras in 750 school zones across the nation's largest public district will operate around the clock for the first time.
Automated speed cameras have long only operated in New York City on weekdays, between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m. Officials say 59% of traffic fatalities happen outside those hours, citing recent increases in overnight and weekend crashes.
"Traffic safety is public safety, and today marks the start of a new chapter for traffic safety in our city," Mayor Eric Adams said in a statement Monday. "This is a promise made and promise kept: Together with Deputy Mayor Joshi, Commissioner Rodriguez, and advocates, we fought to get this done in Albany. We must ensure that everyone can share the street space safely, and 24/7 speed cameras will protect our city and save lives."
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Speed cameras, according to the city, have been proven to slow speeding by 72% -- and Gov. Kathy Hochul signed a state law last month approving the full day, everyday extension for New York speed camera operating hours.
News
NYC DOT, in conjunction with NYPD and other agencies, conducted a citywide Day of Awareness last week ahead of the city's 24/7 camera enforcement.
Street teams canvassed busy city locations during rush-hour periods, and during the mid-day, to provide motorists with cards notifying them of the change.
