NY Legislature Approves 200 Speed Cameras For NYC, Long Island
ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork/AP) -- More than 200 new speed cameras are coming to New York City and Long Island.
The state Senate voted to authorize the cameras Wednesday, two days after the Assembly did. Gov. Andrew Cuomo supports the measure and is expected to sign it into law soon.
The bill would authorize up to 69 cameras in Suffolk County and 56 in Nassau County. New York City already has 20 of the devices and stands to get 120 more.
The cameras would operate during and immediately before and after school activities. Speeders caught by the cameras would be mailed a $50 ticket.
The devices will raise millions of dollars for local governments, though officials, including New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio, say their motivation is public safety.
The city has had a pilot program for speed cameras up and running since mid-January. Five of the 20 cameras in the program have issued 12,162 tickets -- for more than $600,000 in fines.
Opponents have questioned the value of cameras as an alternative to uniformed police officers and suggested revenue was the true motivation.
As part of his "Vision Zero" pedestrian safety package, de Blasio also wants a permanent change in the speed limit in the city from 30 mph to 25 mph.
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