Lawmakers Calling On Albany To Allow Speed Cameras In NYC

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- State lawmakers are considering a bill that would enable New York City to install up to 40 stationary and roving speed cameras at high-risk locations for the next five years.

The cameras would not photograph drivers, but would capture license plate numbers. Fines would range between $25 and $100 and insurance companies would not be notified of violations.

The calls for a crackdown on speeding comes after several high-profile crashes, including a hit-and-run collision that killed Nachman and Raizy Glauber and a day later, their newborn son.

"This is not about 'gotcha' or even revenue generation," said City Council Speaker Christine Quinn. "This is about safety and I believe New Yorkers understand that. That's why we have so many community boards and civic unions in support."

"Speeding is one of the major causes of traffic collisions and fatalities in New York City, and effective enforcement of speed limit laws in New York could dramatically reduce the number of serious injuries and deaths that occur," said Assembly member Linda Rosenthal.

New Yorkers had mixed reactions to the proposal.

"Big Brother all the way," said Daniel Bazemore.

"Great idea, absolutely," said Sharon Flood. "People go too fast."

"In a way, I think it helps control speeding you have in this area," said Rocco Sacramone. "Once people learn where the cameras are supposedly, it's supposed to help bring down speeding so I'll take the positive side."

"I don't think it's right because you're trying to fight it and you try to fight it and the police don't have nothing to do with it, always trying to give you the runaround saying that they don't have no control," said truck driver Ronald Evans.

One in four traffic deaths in New York City is caused by speeding. In 2011 alone, 70 people were killed and 4,700 people were injured as a result of speed-related crashes in the five boroughs.

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