Assemblymember Patricia A.

Fahy
109
th
Assembly District Albany, Bethlehem, Guilderland, New Scotland

For Immediate Release

May 15, 2014

FAHY, BRESLIN INTRODUCE LEGISLATION THAT ALLOWS FOR
CITY OF ALBANY TO INSTALL RED LIGHT CAMERAS AT
INTERSECTIONS

ALBANY, N.Y. (May 15, 2014) --- Assemblymember Patricia A. Fahy (D-Albany) and Senator Neil D.
Breslin (D-Bethlehem) have introduced legislation that will allow for the City of Albany to install red
light cameras at select intersections within the city.

The bill allows for the City of Albany to adopt a local law establishing a five year demonstration
program to impose monetary liability on the owners of motor vehicles for an operator's failure to comply
with traffic-control indications within Albany. The bill authorizes Albany to install and operate traffic-
control signal photo violation-monitoring devices at no more than twenty intersections.

Safety on our roads is a top priority for me, especially in our urban areas. Red light cameras have been
successful in hundreds of municipalities across the nation in helping law enforcement make our streets
safer for fellow motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians particularly in areas of higher traffic and would
provide an effective measure for increasing traffic safety in the City of Albany, said Assemblymember
Fahy.

During the past number of years we have seen far too many traffic accidents at intersections throughout
our city. Red light cameras have a proven track record of making intersections safer for motorists,
cyclists and pedestrians alike, said Senator Breslin.

Red light cameras are a critical tool to reduce the amount of traffic, bicyclist and pedestrian accidents
that occur in the Capital City. As a former Mayor, I have experienced firsthand the frustration when
these accidents cause significant concerns whether by damage, injury or unfortunately death. I have
often said that people are in a hurry to go nowhere to describe this situation and using technology that
is accurate and effective will accomplish the primary goal of this effort which is safety for all, said
Assemblymember John T. McDonald III (D-Cohoes).

Albany city officials came out in support of the legislation at a news conference on May 15, citing the
legislators commitment and leadership to traffic safety issues within the City of Albany.

I am pleased to support the Traffic Safety Stakeholder Committees recommendation of adding red
light cameras to our current traffic safety strategy in the City of Albany. As we continue to improve
traffic safety through education, enforcement, and engineering, tools such as red light cameras will help
us achieve our goals in year-over-year reductions in traffic accidents, said Albany Police Chief Steven
Krokoff.

The Albany Police Department, the Traffic Safety Stakeholder Committee, and our local leaders will
continue to address the traffic related concerns of our community and ensure that motorists, bicyclists,
and pedestrians remain safe. I applaud Senator Breslin and Assemblymember Fahy for their unwavering
commitment and leadership on this critical issue and thank them as together, we strive to make Albany
the safest community in America, Krokoff continued.

I applaud and thank our legislative representatives for working to provide our city with the ability to
consider and examine public safety measures for our community. Strengthening our home rule authority
would allow us to be in control of important issues that have a direct impact on our citizens, said
Albany Mayor Kathy M. Sheehan.

One of the most common complaints that I hear from neighbors is that cars are always running red
lights in Albany. I agree, on any given day that I'm out walking, I see at least one car run a red light. The
introduction of this bill is an important step to help educate drivers and alleviate the problem, said
Albany Common Council Member Leah Golby.

The bill allows for the City of Albany to adopt a local law or ordinance establishing a five year
demonstration program to impose monetary liability on the owners of motor vehicles for an operator's
failure to comply with traffic-control indications within Albany. The bill authorizes Albany to install
and operate traffic-control signal photo violation-monitoring devices at no more than twenty
intersections.

The City of Albany has had a reported 15,372 traffic incidents during a three month period each year
from 2011-2014, averaging 1,281 incidents a month and nearly an average 42 incidents daily. Installing
red light camera devices at intersections with a high traffic accident rate in the City of Albany aims to
prevent accidents and save lives.

The installation of red light cameras would act as a deterrent for drivers from running red lights due to
costs incurred if the driver is caught on camera. Placement of cameras throughout the city would result
in safer streets for pedestrians, bicyclists and motorists.

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