Press Releases
IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 2, 2025
Contact: (212) 839-4850, press@dot.nyc.gov
NYC DOT Joins Family of Victim Killed by Speeding Driver To Advocate for Renewal of Speed Camera Program, ‘Super Speeders’ Legislation
New Analysis Shows Severe Traffic Injuries Declined Nearly 30 Percent at Recently Installed Speed Camera Locations
NEW YORK – New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today joined advocates and elected officials to call for the renewal of the city’s speed camera program and the passage of ‘Super Speeders’ legislation to install speed limiters in the vehicles of the most dangerous drivers on our streets. City data shows speed cameras dramatically reduce speeding at locations where they are installed, and new analysis released today shows that severe traffic injuries declined nearly 30 percent at locations where speed cameras were recently installed. NYC DOT held the rally at the intersection of West 66th Street and Amsterdam Avenue, where a nearby speed camera has led to a 75 percent reduction in speeding since it was installed in 2022.
While the vast majority of drivers change their behavior and do not receive more than one or two speed camera violations, a small number of ‘Super Speeders’ who recklessly rack up high numbers of automated violations are statistically far more likely to be involved in a crash causing death or severe injury. Vehicles that receive more than 20 speed camera violations are five times as likely to be involved in a fatal or severe injury crash. Vehicles with 30 or more speed camera violations are over 50 times as likely to be involved in a fatal or severe injury crash.
“Speed cameras keep all New Yorkers safe on our streets by changing driver behavior and deterring speeding from happening in the first place,” said NYC DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “While we know most drivers stop speeding after their first or second ticket, an extremely reckless few continue to endanger themselves and everyone around them. That’s why we are working with our colleagues in Albany to pass ‘Super Speeders’ legislation that would require the worst offenders to have technology installed on their vehicles to prevent it from exceeding the speed limit. I thank the family of Dwight Downer for turning their pain into purpose in advocating for these important legislative efforts.”
Speed Camera RenewalNew York City operates roughly 2,200 speed cameras in 750 school zones. Without the passage of new legislation in Albany, the program will expire on July 1, robbing the city of an extremely effective tool to keep New Yorkers safe on our streets. New analysis released today shows that even newly installed speed cameras show dramatic results, emphasizing the continued need for this program. Locations with speed cameras installed in 2023 saw a dramatic, nearly 30 percent, reduction in severe injury crashes after one year compared to nearby locations.
NYC DOT is supporting S8344/A8787, sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Deborah Glick, that would reauthorize the use of speed cameras in New York City for five years.
Limiting ‘Super Speeders’Speed cameras have dramatically reduced speeding and changed driver behavior where they are installed. Yet a small subset drivers continue to speed regardless of how many violations they receive—and data shows these ‘Super Speeders’ are far more likely to be involved in major collisions that result in severe injury or death.
A driver that has received 16 speed camera violations in a year is twice as likely to be involved in a crash that causes severe injury or death; a driver that has received more than 20 violations is five times as likely to be involved in such a crash; and drivers with 30 or more violations are 50 times as likely to be involved in such a crash.
To hold these ‘Super Speeders’ accountable, NYC DOT and the Adams administration are supporting S4045/A2299 sponsored by Senator Andrew Gounardes and Assemblymember Emily Gallagher that would require the installation of technology on the vehicles of ‘Super Speeders’ that prevent the vehicle from going faster than the speed limit. The City of New York, through its Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), is piloting this technology, known as intelligent speed assist, in the municipal vehicle fleet. The installation of the technology in city vehicles has virtually eliminated speeding among fleet vehicle drivers.
“Speed cameras are vital for making streets safer and lowering speeds, so it’s imperative that the legislature reauthorizes the City’s use of these cameras. And bills addressing super speeders will ensure that we are cracking down on drivers who speed frequently and put lives at risk,” said Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine. “I urge the legislature to pass both bills so that New Yorkers are safer on our streets.”
“It is undeniable that speed cameras in school zones save lives,” said Congressman Jerrold Nadler. “The evidence clearly shows that the presence of cameras along with the threat of speed infractions encourage safe driving in school zones, and force drivers to slow down. Unfortunately, unless reauthorized this legislative session speed cameras in NYC will have to be turned off on July 1st. The legislature must reauthorize speed cameras in New York City now before the end of legislative session. Additionally, I fully support legislation to reign in ‘super speeders’. Anyone who receive six speed or red-light cameras tickets in a six-month period belong to a small group of reckless drivers who continue to speed regardless of how many violations they receive are far more likely to be involved in major collisions that result in severe injury or death. We must hold these super speeders accountable and install speed limiters in their vehicle to safeguard our community and streets.”
“At this point, there are no questions, just facts: speeding kills, and speed cameras save lives,” said State Senator Andrew Gounardes. “No New Yorker should fear for their life while traveling on our streets. The speed camera program works—where there are cameras, drivers slow down and speeding plummets. And for the remaining few who refuse to drive safely no matter how many tickets they receive, my Stop Super Speeders Act ensures accountability. If we're serious about tackling the crisis of traffic violence on our streets, we need to pass these two bills this year.”
“I am sick of learning about senseless tragedies that occur because we are unable or unwilling to curb the behavior of our most reckless drivers. There is an abundance of evidence that shows that slowing down drivers saves lives,” said State Assemblymember Emily Gallagher. “I sponsor the speed limiter bill in the Assembly because we know that 20 percent of all fatalities from vehicle crashes are caused by just 1.5 percent of drivers. I am thrilled to rally alongside my colleagues, transit advocates, and the NYC DOT to call for the passage of both of these important bills, which we know will help to create essential safeguards to protect New Yorkers.”
“New York City's school zone speed camera program has been incredibly successful in slowing motorists down and drastically reducing injuries and deaths in the streets around our schools,” said State Assemblymember Deborah J. Glick. “The focus of this life-saving program is making motorists mindful of their speed in these sensitive areas where children, faculty, and other community members are at risk, and every measured metric - from decreased crashes to low recidivism – confirms their success. I will ensure that this critical program is renewed so that these cameras can continue to keep dangerous drivers on notice that reckless driving will not be tolerated.”
“Slower speeds save lives,” said State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan), sponsor of Sammy’s Law. “New Yorkers who use our streets as their own personal raceway must be held accountable for their reckless actions. This session, we have an opportunity to do just that by passing two critical bills: speed camera reauthorization and the Super Speeders bill. By requiring that incalcitrant drivers install speed limiters in their vehicles, as well as reauthorizing the city’s speed camera program, we will protect New Yorkers from some of the most dangerous drivers on our streets. I, along with my colleagues, will continue to fight to get these two common-sense bills over the finish line.”
“Speed cameras save lives. To keep New Yorkers safe, Albany needs to renew this essential program, and to pass the Stop Super Speeders bill. For the vast majority of speeders, tickets work to deter them, making our neighborhoods safer,” said Transportation Alternatives Executive Director Ben Furnas. “But for the small number of repeat offenders that aren’t deterred, this bill is needed — speed limiter technology installed in their cars will physically slow their vehicles down to the speed limit, so they can’t continue to terrorize our neighborhoods.”