Mayor Mamdani Deploys Red Light Cameras at 600 Intersections to Make City Streets Safer

NEW YORK - Mayor Zohran Kwame Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation (NYC DOT) Commissioner Mike Flynn today announced the City has installed red light cameras at 600 intersections across the five boroughs, fulfilling its commitment to expand the Red Light Camera Program and reach the maximum number permitted under state law.

Red light cameras are a proven tool to change driver behavior and prevent dangerous crashes. NYC DOT data shows that red light running was involved in 22% of fatal crashes at intersections from 2023 to 2025. Red light cameras have reduced red light running by more than 80% at camera locations.

The cameras are also helping prevent serious injuries. At intersections with red light cameras, injuries from rear-end collisions have declined by nearly 60% and injuries from T-bone crashes have declined by 70% since installation. In 2025, 95% of vehicles caught running red lights received no more than one or two violations. Fewer than 0.7% received five or more violations. Roughly 39% of red light camera violations are issued to vehicles registered outside New York City.

"Safer streets aren't a guessing game - we know the tools proven to keep New Yorkers safe. Red light cameras help us get home safely by holding dangerous drivers accountable and preventing crashes before they happen," said Mayor Mamdani. "With all 600 intersections up and running, we are stopping dangerous behavior before tragedy can strike and making our streets safer for everyone who walks, bikes, drives or takes the bus."

"Red light cameras save lives and have proven to change driver behavior. This expansion will help reduce the unacceptable, selfish and dangerous rise in red light running we've seen on our streets since the pandemic," said NYC DOT Commissioner Mike Flynn. "We're proud to have delivered on our commitment to complete this expansion this year, in tandem with the Mamdani administration's Vision Zero commitments to life-saving street redesigns and safety programs that will usher in a new era of safer streets across the five boroughs."

NYC DOT places red light cameras at intersections across the five boroughs based on criteria that include histories of T-bone crashes and injuries caused by drivers running red lights. Combined with proven street design improvements, automated enforcement is an important tool for preventing crashes and protecting New Yorkers. These efforts have been particularly effective in neighborhoods that have historically been underserved by street safety investments.

"My daughter Karina was killed at this very intersection four years ago," said Carmen Larino, a member of Families for Safe Streets. "Red light cameras save lives, and we can't wait to expand this critical program to more intersections all across New York City. No parent should suffer like I have, and we won't stop organizing until every New Yorker gets home safe at the end of the day."

"In 2024 we passed my legislation, dramatically increasing the number of red light cameras throughout the city," said Assembly Member Jeffrey Dinowitz. "We may never know how many lives are saved as a result of this, but I do know that this law will protect New Yorkers and prevent fatal traffic accidents. I'm very pleased that the city is using their newly granted authority to expand the red light camera program and has fulfilled their commitment of expanding it to 600 intersections. I hope to see as many cameras as possible placed in the Bronx."

"I applaud NYC DOT for successfully expanding the Red Light Camera Program to cover 600 intersections across our city," said Assembly Member Diana Moreno. "Our district is no stranger to street safety advocacy, too often spurred by a preventable tragedy. But we don't have to wait for another tragedy to act - we can and must prevent them. These cameras are an essential tool to change how drivers behave and to prevent red light running and fatal crashes. I know that the many Astoria working parents who have shared their concerns about street safety with our office will welcome additional red light cameras in our community. I look forward to working with NYC DOT and my colleagues in Albany to secure funding for additional red light cameras and other street safety measures we need."

"Every New Yorker deserves to feel safe in their neighborhood, and that starts with streets designed to protect people," said Assembly Member Jessica González-Rojas. Queens has some of the most dangerous intersections and roadways in our city, and too many of our communities have been left behind when it comes to street safety investments. Expanding the Red Light Camera Program to 600 intersections is an important step toward preventing crashes and saving lives. We must continue investing in safer streets so that our families, pedestrians, cyclists and all New Yorkers can get where they need to go safely."

"I was glad to have voted to authorize the expansion of the Red Light Camera Program and it's great to see the City completing implementation of the expansion," said Assembly Member Robert Carroll. "Mayor Mamdani and DOT Commissioner Flynn have repeatedly demonstrated the leadership the City needs when it comes to making our streets safer, and I look forward to the City and State continuing to partner to ensure our streets are safe for all."

"The expansion of the Red Light Camera Program marks a significant investment in street safety and will go a long way in reducing crashes and preventing injuries," said Assembly Member Linda B. Rosenthal. "Years of data have demonstrated the safety benefits that red light cameras can bring to our communities. From the passage of Sammy's Law, legislation that I sponsored to facilitate lower speed limits in the five boroughs, to deployment of speed-limiting devices and the expansion of the school speed camera program, the state Legislature has long partnered with New York City to end reckless driving. With red light cameras now installed at 600 intersections throughout the City, I look forward to seeing our streets becoming an even safer place for pedestrians, cyclists and drivers alike."

"Traffic violence affects every neighborhood," said Assembly Member Brian Cunningham. "These new cameras will protect children walking to school, seniors crossing the street and everyone who travels on foot, by bike or behind the wheel. I'm proud to have co-sponsored the legislation that paved the way for this street safety investment. Safe streets are a right, not a luxury."

"New Yorkers deserve safe streets, and red light cameras are an important tool in protecting everyone who uses our roadways," said State Senator José Serrano. "By encouraging drivers to obey traffic signals, these cameras can help reduce dangerous collisions, protect pedestrians and cyclists and promote greater accountability on our streets. As the Senator representing the 29th Senate District, I recognize the importance of these safety measures, particularly in busy communities like those I represent, where pedestrians, cyclists and motorists share heavily trafficked roadways."

"I commend Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn for expanding the Red Light Camera Program," said State Senator Roxanne J. Persaud. "This program is a pivotal step toward improving roadway safety, reducing vehicular-related fatalities and protecting pedestrians throughout the city. By advancing safer driving and increasing accountability on our streets, we can help save lives and build safer communities for all New Yorkers."

"With millions of New Yorkers traveling through our neighborhoods every day, we have a responsibility to make sure our streets are safe for everyone," said State Senator Nathalia Fernandez. "Running a red light is a reckless decision that can cost lives, and the data shows that these cameras are making a real difference in preventing dangerous crashes. I thank Mayor Mamdani and NYC DOT for prioritizing public safety and taking meaningful steps to protect pedestrians, motorists and families across our city."

"I am pleased to hear of the successful expansion of NYC DOT's red light camera program," said State Senator Liz Krueger. "Street safety is a top concern for my constituents, and red light cameras are a proven, effective tool to ensure fewer accidents and more accountability for unsafe drivers."

"Red light cameras are a commonsense safety measure that uses proven technology to deter reckless driving and prevent crashes," said State Senator John Liu. "With data showing a more than 80 percent decline in red light running, we owe it to every family affected by traffic violence to expand this program and make sure our streets are safe for everyone."

"Red light cameras prevent crashes, save lives and improve the quality-of-life for all of us here in Queens and across the city," said Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. "Installing these cameras at as many intersections as possible across Queens will surely continue to deter the dangerous driving behaviors that have injured or killed far too many of our neighbors. Thank you to the DOT for its partnership in ensuring our streets are safe for all who use them, however they use them."

"We know that stoplight cameras do wonders for street safety, helping stop reckless behavior before tragedy strikes," said Council Member Shaun Abreu. "I thank Mayor Mamdani and Commissioner Flynn for delivering on this expansion of the program across the city and look forward to building on this progress to make every intersection in our city safer."

"Red light cameras save lives, and we applaud DOT and the Mamdani administration for installing them at 600 intersections - the limit of what state law allows," said Ben Furnas, Executive Director of Transportation Alternatives. "In the 2027 session, the state legislature has an opportunity to reauthorize and expand this critical safety program. There are still more than 10,000 signalized intersections in our city where drivers can recklessly drive through red lights without any deterrence. We look forward to working with the leaders in New York City and Albany to expand this lifesaving program to thousands of intersections, not just a few hundred."

"New Yorkers deserve safe, livable streets regardless of how they get around, and the expansion of the red light camera program is essential to meeting that goal. Fair enforcement of bad behavior makes our roads better for everyone and directly tackles the reckless driving that has made mobility in our city so difficult," said Sara Lind, Co-Executive Director at Open Plans. "We're excited to see automated enforcement continue to grow and look forward to delivering more solutions that rein in dangerous drivers, keep our neighborhoods safe and foster more connected and vibrant communities."

"Every New Yorker deserves to walk, bike and drive safely on our streets," said Rachel Weinberger, Vice President for Transportation at the Regional Plan Association. "Red light cameras have been proven to deter dangerous driving and prevent serious crashes. We applaud the New York State Legislature and Governor Hochul for authorizing this expansion and the Mayor and NYCDOT for bringing this critical safety tool to more intersections across the city."

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