Peekskill, NY – New York State Senator Pete Harckham and Assemblymember Dana Levenberg announced today that their legislation authorizing the City of Peekskill to use automated traffic enforcement cameras within the municipality to issue violations for running red lights has been signed into law by Governor Hochul.

Harckham and Levenberg introduced their bill (S.7500A / A.8227) to allow a three-year, targeted demonstration program at up to nine intersections so the City can deter dangerous driving behavior, prevent accidents and enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety. Now enacted, the new law is effective immediately.

“Public safety on our local roadways is an important issue for me,” said Harckham. “It is well-documented that installing red-light cameras can deter dangerous driving, prevent accidents and save lives, so I am pleased that Governor Hochul has signed this legislation allowing Peekskill to begin this important initiative. Also, I thank Assemblymember Levenberg for partnering with me on the legislation.”

“Street safety is a top priority for me and all of the local leaders in my district,’ said Levenberg. “I was happy to help move this legislation in the Assembly, and I applaud Peekskill’s local leaders for seeking to implement a red-light camera program. These programs are proven to save lives.”

Sadly, motorists run red lights so often that more than 135,000 people were injured nationwide by this dangerous infraction in 2023, with 1,086 killed. In New York, 1,345 fatal crashes between 2018 and 2,022 were linked to red light running, making the state the third worst in the nation in this regard.

While enforcement is key to ensure compliance with the law, the fact is that police officers cannot be stationed at every intersection where there is a red light. That’s why cameras are employed in especially problematic intersections. Good news is the cameras have been proven effective: an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study found that there were 21% fewer red-light fatalities in large cities utilizing camera enforcement and the NYC Department of Transportation found that red-light violations dropped 73% at camera-equipped intersections.

In October 2024, Governor Hochul signed legislation to extend red light laws in several Westchester municipalities, including White Plains, New Rochelle, Mount Vernon and Greenburgh, as well as expanding the program in New York City. Seeing this, local leaders in Peekskill urged Harckham and Levenberg to introduce similar legislation for the City.

To balance red light enforcement with concerns about civil liberties, the new law will limit the use of recorded images to the legal proceedings regarding the infractions, which will protect individual privacy and offer transparency regarding the law’s effectiveness.

Peekskill Mayor Vivian McKenzie said, “The City of Peekskill is eager to use this tool to help protect pedestrians, bicyclists and other motorists from injury while using City walkways and streets. We thank both Senator Harckham and Assemblymember Levenberg for their attention to this critical safety issue for our City.”