DOT Will Activate Hundreds Of New Red-Light Cameras At NYC Intersections

NEW YORK CITY — The New York City Department of Transportation has said they've begun activating additional red light cameras across the city, with plans for a substantial expansion by the end of the 2026.

NYC DOT will activate red light cameras at 50 new intersections per week over the next five weeks — prior to the expansion, red light cameras were in place at just 150 intersections, officials said.

The state legislature has authorized the city to expand red light cameras, and the agency plans to add red light cameras to 600 intersections by the end of the year.

"Red light running is one of the most dangerous behaviors on our city's streets and puts all New Yorkers at risk. That is why we are taking immediate action to ramp up the city's red light camera program," NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn said. "These cameras have reduced red light running 73 percent in the intersections where they are installed, and we will pair this heightened enforcement with ambitious street redesigns to make our streets safer."

The city's red light camera program has led to a 65 percent decline in T-bone crashes, and a 49 percent drop in rear-end collisions. These cameras help crack down on the most dangerous drivers on city streets.

Vehicles that receive five or more red light camera violations in a year are more than 100 times more likely to be involved in a crash that kills or seriously injures someone, the DOT said.

The program has also proven to change driver behavior and prevent repeat offenders. In 2023, 94 percent of vehicles caught running a red light received no more than one or two violations.

Fewer than 0.5 percent of vehicles received five or more violations.

Additional cameras will be placed at intersections across the five boroughs based on a number of factors, including crash history.

"New Yorkers should not have to fear for their lives every time they cross the street," State Senator Andrew Gounardes said. "I passed the law to expand the red light camera program for a simple reason: we know it works. The reality is, most drivers don't run red lights. But those drivers, along with everyone else, are safer when the ones who do are held accountable. Decades of data makes it clear: these cameras reduce crashes and save lives.