Red Light Camera Program Ends In Suffolk County

By Long Island Attorney Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

After 14 long years, the flawed Red Light Camera Program has officially ended in Suffolk County. However, it still exists in Nassau County, NYC and just about everywhere else in New York State. In fact as Suffolk County was coming to terms with the error of their ways in implementing the program, New York State Governor Hochul proudly announced that she was expanding the flawed program across the state.

Suffolk County decided to end the program after a court ruled that the extensive administrative fees being added to the fines were illegal. The program in Suffolk County raised almost 300 Million Dollars over 14 years, leading many to complain that the program was nothing more than a "cash grab." Even more complained that the program decreased safety on the roads instead of increasing safety as claimed, as the amount of accidents actually increased. Reportedly, accidents increased at red light camera locations by almost 9% with an alarming amount of rear end accidents.

If accidents increased and people are not safer under the Red Light Program, then why hasn't the rest of New York State discontinued this flawed program? In part it is because, despite evidence to the contrary, Governor Hochul still makes the incredulous claim that the program makes people safer and she wants that to be part of her legacy. Perhaps the other inescapable conclusion is money and greed, which has become pervasive in our politics.

At least Suffolk County falls under the "better late than never" category on this issue, but unfortunately the Governor seems hell bent on "never." It would appear that once again the legal residents of New York State are being punished and held to pay for budgetary incompetence, with an expected budget gap exceeding 14 Billion tax dollars by 2028. Just one more reason why lifelong residents of New York State are moving out in record numbers.

Long Island Lawyer

Paul A. Lauto, Esq.

www.liattorney.com