Suffolk County has halted its red light program, deactivating the controversial cameras that have been ticketing drivers for over 10 years, a period in which accidents reportedly rose overall.
County Executive Ed Romaine, joined by members of the legislature and other local officials, held a press conference in Holbrook on Monday to announce the program’s conclusion.
According to county data that caused the pushback toward the cameras to increase, there was an 11.3% decline in accidents with injuries during the program’s 14 years, but a general increase in crashes by 8.6%.
“So, there has to be a rigorous study of the program and its implementation to make sure that when it’s done at a particular intersection, it’s done with safety in mind,” AAA Northeast’s Robert Sinclair told CBS.
Last week, a New York state appellate court ruled the sizeable administrative fees that Nassau and Suffolk counties have been charging with red light camera tickets are illegal. In Nassau County, where the program has been renewed, the cost was previously $150 if paid on time, a result of added administrative fees to an initial reported $50 red light camera violation. Now however, the county has reduced the cost of its tickets to $50 after the court ruling.
“The purpose of the lawsuit is to get back every dime that was paid in excess of the statutory amount of $50 and $25 in Suffolk. In Nassau, it was even worse. It was an extra $100,” attorney David Raimondo said.
In response to potential lawsuits, Suffolk County dropped its administrative fees in 2023 and no longer plans to bring back the red light cameras. However, drivers issued tickets prior to December 1, 2024 are still required to pay. The county’s property taxes rose 1-3%, in part to make up for the lost revenue.
“If I saw road improvements or it went back to the school system, it’d make me feel better about paying for these tickets,” said Nicholas Harding, of East Patchogue.
From 2013 to 2023, the Red Light Safety Program generated $289 million in revenue for Suffolk County, according to Newsday.
