Gov. Kathy Hochul ‘Green Lights’ Cameras Focused on Speed and Traffic Signals
Governor Hochul has taken a series of actions to improve traffic safety across the state.
Hochul’s authorizing legislation enables the city of Syracuse, City of Albany and County of Westchester to install cameras at key intersections to enforce school zone speeding violations, monitor traffic lights (for ‘red light violations’) and improve the existing Move Over Law to protect drivers across New York State (NYS).
Here is a list of the legislation Hochul signed to address NYS traffic concerns:
Syracuse School Zone Speed Cameras (S6632/A6687A)
Syracuse Traffic Light Cameras (A6686/S6631)
Albany School Zone Speed Cameras (A7043A/S6802A)
Westchester Traffic Light Cameras (A7206B/S7026B)
“Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority, and traffic safety is no exception,” Hochul said. “The legislation signed today will make streets across our state safer for drivers, cyclists, pedestrians and especially for our school children.”
Under these new laws, the the cities of Syracuse and Albany, as well as the County of Westchester are authorized to implement programs that have been proven to decrease speeding while protecting pedestrians, cyclists and drivers.
“We’re working toward a Vision Zero future for Syracuse. It’s a global effort to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, healthy, equitable mobility for all,” Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh said. “That vision includes safe passageways for children and families to school. Implementing red light and speed cameras in school zones is a critical step in that direction.”
“Motorists speeding through Albany’s school zones put the lives of our city’s pedestrians – especially our youngest residents – in danger. Albany’s participation in a school zone speed camera program will allow us to do everything we can to help enhance the safety of pedestrians within school zones,” said Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan.
Additionally, Governor Hochul signed legislation (A1077/S5129), which improves the existing “move over” law requiring drivers to exercise due care to avoid vehicles stopped on the roadway, including by changing lanes.
The current Move Over Law has been in place since 2010. It is designed to prevent collisions with emergency vehicles.
In the years since its inception, the Move Over Law has been expanded to cover hazard vehicles and other responder vehicles. However, personal vehicles stopped on the sides of highways remain a safety hazard.
Nearly 300 drivers are struck and killed roadside every year, and 37 people were struck and killed outside of a disabled vehicle in New York from 2016-2020. This expanded Move Over Law broadens the existing legislation to cover all vehicles stopped on the road.
