“Super Speeders Bill” and Speed Cameras: Life-Saving Tools NYC Desperately Needs

As car accident attorneys in New York City, we see firsthand the devastating consequences of reckless driving. The tragic crash in March that claimed the lives of a Brooklyn mother and her two children is just one of many heartbreaking cases where speed and repeat traffic violations played a deadly role. It is unacceptable that drivers with a long history of traffic violations — including multiple speed and red-light camera tickets — are still legally behind the wheel.

That’s why we support the New York City Department of Transportation’s urgent push for Albany to pass the long-stalled “super speeders” bill and to renew the city’s life-saving speed camera program.

The “super speeders” legislation is not extreme — it is common sense. It targets only the most dangerous drivers: those who rack up 11 or more points in two years or receive six or more speed or red-light camera tickets in a single year. These are not isolated incidents or minor infractions — they are signs of habitual, dangerous behavior. Requiring these drivers to install speed limiters is a reasonable measure that could prevent the next fatal crash.

We know from city data that vehicles with more than 20 camera-issued speed violations are five times more likely to be involved in a serious crash. Those with 30 or more violations? Fifty times more likely. These statistics are not abstract — they are echoed in the wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases we litigate every year.

Additionally, speed cameras are proven tools for reducing injuries and saving lives. The latest data from the NYC DOT shows that crash sites with new speed cameras installed in 2023 saw a 30% drop in serious crashes compared to nearby streets. That kind of impact cannot be ignored. Speed cameras work — and allowing the program to lapse would be a deadly mistake.

As attorneys representing victims of traffic violence, we know that no amount of litigation can bring back a lost loved one or restore full health to someone who has suffered life-altering injuries. But legislation like the “super speeders” bill and speed camera enforcement can prevent future tragedies.

If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a car accident caused by a reckless driver, you may have the right to hold that driver legally accountable. Contact Gair, Gair, Conason, Rubinowitz, Bloom, Hershenhorn, Steigman & Mackauf at 212-943-1090 for a free consultation.