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Last year, a dozen red light cameras were installed in New Rochelle, with police entering a probationary period where they offered motorists the opportunity to acclimate themselves to the new rules.
The cameras have been installed at the city’s busiest intersections in an effort to improve safety, with warning signs prominently posted. Enforcement will begin in the middle of the month.
A red light violation takes place when the entire vehicle crosses an intersection’s line of demarcation and after the traffic signal turns red. Technicians then review the violation images before a sworn officer in the city determines whether or not a fine or ticket should be levied.
New Rochelle becomes the latest Westchester County municipality to install red light cameras. Last year, Andrew Cuomo signed legislation into law permitting as many as 20 additional red light cameras in Mount Vernon and a dozen in New Rochelle.
“The law will dramatically increase the safety of our pedestrians, cyclists and motorists,” State Sen. Ruth Hassell-Thompson, who sponsored the legislation, said. “Those who recklessly run red lights will no longer be tolerated. By creating awareness, people will modify their driving behavior and everyone will be safer.”
Red light camera programs have had mixed results throughout the state, according to AAA New York Media Relations Manager Robert Sinclair Jr., who noted that most municipalities can potentially “cherry pick data to make it seem like the program was more effective.”
According to New Rochelle Police Commissioner Patrick Carroll, “the cameras will monitor select locations based on traffic volume and accident data. (The department) hopes that the installation will signal to motorists to drive more cautiously throughout the entire city.”
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