Local News, Politics

By Long Island News & PR Published: August 03 2017

Mccaffrey: "Anyone voting against my resolution clearly has other motives for the program and is perhaps putting revenue ahead of the safety of our residents."

Lindenhurst, NY - August 3, 2017 - On Tuesday, July 25th, 2017, Suffolk County Legislator Kevin McCaffrey introduced a Local Law to temporarily suspend the Red Light Camera Program until the Department of Public Works completes a study on the program’s impact on safety.

According to a recent report by the Suffolk County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency, the percentage of rear-end collisions at red light camera locations increased by 30 percent in 2015, which is the latest year in which data is available. The same study showed that accidents involving injuries increased at 46 red light camera locations in Suffolk County.

“If this program is really about safety, then it should be easy for everyone to agree to pause it, so the Department of Public Works can get to the bottom of these accident and injury increases at many of the red light camera intersections,” said McCaffrey. “Anyone voting against my resolution clearly has other motives for the program and is perhaps putting revenue ahead of the safety of our residents.”

According to the Local Law, Introductory Resolution 1581, which is scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday, September 6 in the Legislature Auditorium at the Riverhead County Center, the Red Light Camera Program has raised concerns regarding the timing of yellow and red lights. It also states that several citizens, lawyers and local leaders in Suffolk County claimed that the flash caused by the cameras has caused more automobile accidents than it has prevented.

The Red Light Camera program was authorized by the Suffolk County Legislature and by the New York State Vehicle and Traffic Law in 2009. The program was sold to the public as a way to reduce accidents and fatalities at intersections in Suffolk County.