Mayor Zohran Mamdani and NYC Department of Transportation Commissioner Mike Flynn revealed that the city has added 450 new red light cameras across the five boroughs in a bid to cut the rash of red light runners that jumped dramatically in the post-pandemic era.
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.
There were 150 red light cameras installed initially in 2024 and the newly added cameras brings it up to the maximum 600 allowed under state law.
“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,” Mamdani said.
Some family members who had loved ones die due to drivers who ran red lights appeared at a press conference in Queens announcing the expanded red light program.
“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.”
DOT stats show red light cameras have decreased injuries from severe accidents including rear-end accidents by 60% and side collisions by 70%.
The tougher enforcement measures were introduced following a spike in traffic deaths during the post-pandemic years. “From 2020 through 2023, 101 New Yorkers have lost their lives to red light running,” according the NYC Red Light Program Review in 2024. “Unfortunately, 2023 saw the highest annual total of people killed in red light running crashes ever recorded: 29 fatalities—more than double the average annual total of such deaths from the previous decade.
The DOT did not have immediate info on how many of the 600 red light cameras are operating in the city. But Manhattan elected officials were applauding the expansion.
“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, who represents the parts of the UWS and Hell’s Kitchen.
Red light cameras work by photographing the license plate of the car that crosses an intersection after the light has turned red and sending a summons the car’s registered owner. By installing more of these cameras, the Mamdani administration seeks to hold reckless drivers accountable and make New York City streets safer. The DOT said that “1 in 5 deadly crashes were caused by red light running between 2023-2025.”
“Red light cameras save lives and have proven to change driver behavior,” said Flynn. “This expansion will help reduce the unacceptable, selfish and dangerous rise in red light running we’ve seen on our streets since the pandemic.”
“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.”
According to research by DOT, “red light cameras have decreased injuries from severe accidents including rear-end accidents by 60% and side collisions by 70%.”
Not only does the data show that the additional red light cameras reduce fatal injuries but the Mamdani administration believes they also reduce fatal crashes by stopping careless drivers from hitting the gas through traffic lights.
The 450 additional cameras have been placed strategically along new intersections but the DOT was unable to say how many of the new cameras have been posted on Manhattan streets.
According to the 2024 Red Light Program, “the camera captures a series of photographs showing the vehicle traveling through the intersection, with the traffic signal displaying a red light in each photo. The resulting photos show the vehicle, the intersection, and the traffic signal all in one frame. The photos are inspected for quality and are then delivered to a specially trained team of NYC DOT Review Technicians who review each and every photograph and determine if the photographs provide adequate evidence to issue a Notice of Liability (NOL).
An NOL will not be issued if any part of the vehicle has entered the intersection before the light has turned red. In addition, the NOL contains the name and address of the vehicle owner, the registration number of the vehicle involved in the violation, the location where the violation took place, the date and time of the violation, and the identification number of the camera which recorded the violation.”
Mayor Mamdani said, “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. 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.”
In 2024, Gov. Kathy Hochul signed an initial law that expanded the red light camera program and paved the way for the Mamdani administration’s implementation of the plan. State Senator Liz Krueger and Assembly Member Diana Moreno were among the government officials who supported the red light camera installation.
“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.”