NYC to Quadruple Red-Light Camera Intersections by Year’s End: What It Means for Drivers and Crash Victims

New York City transportation officials have announced a major expansion of the city’s red-light camera program, with plans to increase coverage from 150 to 600 intersections by the end of the year. The rollout will add cameras at roughly 50 intersections per week, targeting locations with elevated crash rates.

From the perspective of New York City car accident attorneys, this policy shift reflects a growing reliance on automated enforcement to curb one of the most dangerous behaviors on city streets: running red lights.

Why Red-Light Running Matters

Failure to stop at a red signal is a leading cause of high-speed, right-angle (“T-bone”) collisions, which frequently result in severe injuries to drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and cyclists. City officials say intersections with cameras have seen significant reductions in violations, underscoring the public-safety rationale behind the expansion.

The program—administered by the New York City Department of Transportation—has existed since the 1990s, but was capped for years by state law. That changed in 2024, when Albany authorized installation at up to 600 intersections. After a year spent on contracting and technical build-out, Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn confirmed the agency is now ready to deploy at scale.

How the Program Works

• Automated enforcement: Cameras photograph vehicles entering intersections after the signal turns red.

• Owner liability: Tickets are issued to the registered owner, regardless of who was driving.

• Fine amount: A $50 civil penalty per violation.

• Placement strategy: Locations will not be publicly disclosed to maintain deterrence; selection focuses on intersections with higher crash histories.

City data indicates the program generated approximately $20 million in net revenue in 2024, but officials emphasize deterrence and crash reduction as the primary goals.

What This Means for Drivers

With four times as many monitored intersections, drivers should expect far broader enforcement—particularly on corridors with a history of serious collisions. Importantly, these tickets are civil (not criminal) and typically do not add points, but repeated violations can still carry financial consequences and may be relevant in subsequent crash investigations.

What This Means After a Crash

Automated camera footage can become critical evidence in a collision case—helping establish signal phase, timing, and whether a vehicle entered against a red light. For injured pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, this evidence can be pivotal in proving fault and liability.

Experienced NYC car accident attorneys routinely analyze:

• Signal timing and camera data

• Intersection design and sightlines

• Driver behavior leading up to impact

• Whether a violation contributed to causation and damages

A Broader Safety Strategy

City officials have indicated that expanded camera enforcement will be paired with street redesigns—a combination that can meaningfully reduce severe crashes when properly implemented. From a legal standpoint, consistent enforcement and safer design can also clarify responsibility when collisions occur.

Bottom line: The rapid expansion of red-light cameras is likely to change driving behavior at hundreds of intersections citywide. For those injured in red-light crashes, the increased availability of objective evidence may strengthen claims and speed accountability—provided the case is evaluated and pursued promptly by counsel familiar with NYC traffic enforcement and intersection litigation.