One of Albany's chief foes of automated traffic enforcement appears to have softened his opposition to red-light cameras, but allegations of patronage may taint his turnaround.

For years, State Assembly Member David Gantt, a Rochester Democrat, has used his position as chair of the transportation committee to block the expansion of red-light cameras in New York and other cities. When pressed by advocates, Gantt could be relied upon to dismiss automated traffic enforcement by saying that privacy concerns trumped safety benefits. Not any longer.

The year 2007 may prove to be one of the most important years in the storied history of New York City's development. In a future timeline of urban advances, it might be printed in as big a font and as bold a type as 1811--when the grid system was adopted--or 1904--when the I.R.T. subway opened. The text adjacent to 2007 could say something like "the start of livable streets," or "the bike boom begins," or "congestion pricing kicks off." It may turn out that all of those descriptions may suit 2007. The real question is, in hindsight, will they?

Just over a year since the number of red light cameras citywide was doubled to 100 -- with 10 of them at Staten Island intersections -- the technology has been credited with a big drop in injuries and fatalities, as more and more drivers slam on the brakes instead of speeding through reds to avoid a $50 ticket.

Island cameras were increased from five a year ago and they are responsible for a 32% percent increase in fines issues -- from 2,004 to 2,756.

A system of automated enforcement of red-light-running laws is already in use in New York City and is making the city a safer place to walk, cycle, and drive. T.A. is working to expand this program throughout the city.

Speed Cameras

Manual enforcement of speed limits drains the resources of police departments and is difficult to carry out fairly and effectively. Recently, racial profiling has been uncovered as the basis for ticketing minority motorists at higher rates than white motorists. A better solution already in use in other locations is photo radar, an automated system

Speed Cameras

Manual enforcement of speed limits drains the resources of police departments and is difficult to carry out fairly and effectively. Recently, racial profiling has been uncovered as the basis for ticketing minority motorists at higher rates than white motorists. A better solution

Traffic Safety Experts Say City’s Dummy Red-Light Camera Plan is Smart Stuff

Transportation Alternatives (T.A.), a traffic safety watchdog group, strongly supports the New York City Department of Transportation’s plan to install 200 decoy red-light cameras around the city. Currently, the city has 50 red light cameras and no dummy cameras in place.

In threatening to put New Yorkers in the path of more red light runners, State Assemblymembers Joseph Lentol and Sheldon Silver have gone way too far in their bid to reopen firehouses, says Transportation Alternatives, New York’s advocates for street safety, and Brooklyn Community Board 1; the board, located within Lentol’s district recently passed a resolution in favor of reauthorizing the use of 100 red light cameras.

When: Sunday July 11, 1 pm

Where: 56th Avenue and Francis Lewis Boulevard

12 year old Nicholas Ho, as he was bicycling along 56th Avenue on Wednesday July 7, was struck and critically injured by a red light runner on Francis Lewis Boulevard in Queens.

On Sunday, July 11, Transportation Alternatives, New York City’s advocates for street safety, will be joined by State Senator Frank Padavan and Assemblymember Mark Weprin to call for an extension and expansion of New York’s successful Red Light Camera program.