Red Light, Green Light: Nassau Approves Measure For Red Light Cameras

Everywhere I go these days, there’s always a reminder via crosses, flowers and photos of a driving mishap here on Long Island, making it clear that these once open roadways are becoming increasingly congested, possibly dangerous, and in need of greater rules, regulations, and according to some, surveillance.

And, it seems that increased security is going to become a reality in Nassau. Recently local lawmakers approved a measures to place red light cameras in the county.

And, after several hours of discussion, the administration also concurred to address the AAA’s concerns with regard to ensuring that yellow lights are long enough to meet traffic engineering guidelines that making sure that only those who deliberately run red lights are ticketed.

The measure call for all photos clearly showing the red light and that all violation notices reaching the owner of the vehicle within two weeks of the incident. And, the county has also agreed to a public education campaign on the matter. However, some have “reservations” about punishing the car owner in instances where someone else is doing the driving.

But, those who support the measure not it as essential for enforcing public safety.

According to officials, the county currently has 1,600 traffic lights at various intersections and the state has 400. They note that about 50 cameras would be placed at county traffic intersection, even those that are not considered among the most accident prone; primarily because they wanted each town to benefit from the measure.