9
New York City’s Speed Camera Program
In 2013, the New York State Legislature and Governor Cuomo granted New York City
the authority to pilot an automated speed enforcement program to deter speeding in 20
school speed zones. In June 2014, the pilot was expanded to a total of 140 school
speed zones as part of the Vision Zero program. Chapter 30 of the Laws of 2019
expanded both the number of school speed zones and the program’s hours, which
were previously limited to one hour before, after, or during school hours, or a half hour
before, after, or during school activities. NYC DOT thereby became authorized to deploy
speed cameras in 750 school speed zones on all weekdays between 6 AM and 10 PM.
NYC DOT completed the expansion of at least one camera in each of the 750 zones in
June 2020 and has been adding cameras within those zones. Cameras may be located
on any street within a quarter-mile radius of a school, which allows NYC DOT the
discretion to place the devices where they are most needed.
In June 2022, the State Legislature passed a new law permitting NYC DOT to operate
the cameras 24 hours a day, seven days a week. These new hours will go into effect on
August 1, 2022. This report does not include analysis relating to the new hours.
NYC’s speed camera program uses the same radar and laser technology relied upon
by law enforcement to measure a vehicle’s speed. If the system’s radar nds that the
vehicle is exceeding the speed
limit by more than ten miles per
hour, images of the vehicle are
recorded, including the license
plate. The violation is reviewed by
a trained DOT staff technician for
accuracy. If the technician veries
that the identied vehicle was exceeding the speed limit by more than ten miles per
hour within a school speed zone between 6 AM and 10 PM on a weekday, the
technician will issue a Notice of Liability (NOL) to the registered owner of the vehicle.
Cameras do not capture an image of the individual driving the vehicle; the violation is
the responsibility of the owner.
The ne associated with a speed camera NOL is $50, regardless of the speed by which
the vehicle was exceeding the speed limit, or whether it was a repeat offense. This is far
less than the cost of a summons issued by a police ofcer for speeding in a school
speed zone, which could range on the rst offense from $90-$600, depending on the
motorist’s speed and prior record, plus an $88 State surcharge. The violation is
reviewed by a 88 State surcharge. In addition, a conviction on a summons issued by a
NYC DOT thereby became authorized
to deploy speed cameras in 750 school
speed zones on all weekdays between
6 AM and 10 PM.