Site icon Weiss & Associates, P.C.

NYC Red Light Camera Tickets

Many clients call our firm inquiring about what, if anything, they should do when they receive a red light ticket in the mail. Most (if not all) of such NYC traffic tickets are a result of hidden cameras installed at busy intersections by the New York City Department of Transportation. In 2003, 450,000 camera red-light summons were issued in the city and now Nassau County will be adding 54 red light cameras of its own.

When the camera’s sensors detect that a vehicle is moving too fast to stop at a red light, a photograph is taken of the red light and a second photograph is taken a few seconds later as the vehicle crosses through the intersection against the red light. A summons with the photographs attached is then issued to the registered owner of the vehicle.

The most important thing one should know about these types of summonses is that they carry no points. Because it would be impossible to prove who was driving the vehicle at the time of the infraction, this summons is treated as a parking ticket and usually carries around a $50 fine.

Effective September 13, 2010, motorists who have red light camera violations that push them above the $350 scofflaw tow threshold can have their car is towed an will be subject to interest for late payments.

It has been reported that NYC has experienced a 73% drop in red light violations since 1994 when red light cameras were first installed. During this time, the city reported a 41% decline in collisions and a 35% reduction in vehicular fatalities.

The only defenses which I am aware of to these types of tickets is that the photographs do not clearly show that your vehicle was involved or ran a red light, medical emergency, mechanical problems, theft of vehicle and possibly other justification type defenses. Without a good defense supported by documentary proof, these tickets are extremely difficult to win.

Some motorists have taken matters into their own hands by purchasing and applying a clear spray called Photoblocker which distorts a license plate’s image. Without a clear photograph of the license plate, a fine cannot be sent. Use of such products is illegal in New York City and, of course, not recommended. So be careful…Big Brother is watching you.

Below is a list of some of the known locations of hidden cameras in the City of New York. For a list of Nassau County red light camera locations, click here.

Manhattan

The Bronx

Brooklyn

Queens

Staten Island

Exit mobile version