New Speeding Cameras for School Zones

ALBANY, N.Y. adapted from (CBSNewYork/AP) — 

School zones will be alot safer in New York City and Long Island thanks to 200 new speed cameras. Govenor Andrew Cuomo signed into law legislation that authorized these cameras to be placed outside schools that will operate during and immediately before and after school activities. Those who are caught speeding will get a $50 ticket in the mail but it will not affect their auto insurance rates. Cuomo signed the legislation at an event at Bethpage High School in Long Island.

“If you don’t break the law, you don’t have anything to worry about,” the governor said. “And if you’re speeding in front of a school, you should have something to worry about, because it is reckless.

“These cameras will save lives.” Cuomo’s office cited data showing that a child struck by a car traveling at 40 mph faces a 70 percent chance of dying, while a child struck by a vehicle going 30 mph faces a 20 percent chance of death.

New York City will add up to 120 more cameras to the 20 they presently have while Nassau and Suffolk counties on Long Island will receive up to 125 cameras.

While the purpose primarily is to increase safety around schools, local governments stand to raise millions of dollars in revenue from the camera.  In New York City, the automated devices are a part of Mayor Bill de Blasio's "Vision Zero" campaign to reduce traffic fatalities.