In 2024, lawmakers authorized New York City to quadruple its red-light camera network from 150 intersections to as many as 600 by 2027. The goal is to curb reckless driving, reduce crashes, and increase compliance at dangerous intersections. Now, in 2025, the program is beginning its next phase. While the legislation has been passed, the rollout is gradual, and drivers across the city are watching closely to see where the cameras will appear next. This article provides a full update on the current status of the program, new vendor contracts, the timeline for installations, policy debates, and what drivers should expect over the next two years.
Why New York City Is Expanding Red-Light Cameras
Red-light running is one of the most common causes of traffic crashes in New York City. With an increase in pedestrian and cyclist injuries, city leaders argue that automated enforcement is a proven tool to discourage risky behavior at intersections. By quadrupling the number of cameras, the city hopes to reduce intersection crashes by deterring drivers from running lights, improve pedestrian safety in crowded crosswalks, supplement NYPD enforcement that has limited resources to monitor every signalized intersection, and collect reliable traffic data to guide future road safety strategies.
The 2024 Law and What It Means in 2025
In 2024, the New York State legislature approved a measure allowing New York City to expand its red-light camera program from 150 to 600 intersections. The authorization also extended the program until at least 2027. However, passing the law was only the first step. Implementation requires contracting with a vendor, analyzing crash data to select sites, and installing cameras citywide. As of mid-2025, the system still operates with the original 150 red-light cameras, but the Department of Transportation has confirmed that hundreds of new locations are in planning.
New Vendor: Verra Mobility Takes Over
A major development in 2025 was the city’s decision to award the new contract to Verra Mobility, a leading traffic enforcement technology provider. Verra Mobility is already a significant player in automated enforcement nationwide, and its systems manage red-light, speed, and school-zone cameras across the United States. This vendor transition ensures that New York City’s program will be managed under updated technology, with better back-end processing systems, improved reliability, and the ability to handle a much larger network. The contract is expected to cover the entire expansion phase through 2027.
How Many Cameras Are Coming and Where They May Be Placed
By the end of 2027, New York City will have up to 600 red-light camera intersections. For comparison, the current 150 locations represent only a fraction of the city’s signalized intersections, meaning enforcement is still relatively limited. Placement of new cameras will not be random. The Department of Transportation is prioritizing intersections with high crash rates, frequent pedestrian injuries, and data showing high levels of red-light running. While some critics argue cameras will be placed in areas with the most revenue potential, city officials maintain that safety data guides the process.
Will Existing Cameras Move?
Current red-light cameras are fixed in place and will not be relocated. New sites will be selected based on crash history and safety analysis. This provides stability to drivers who already know which intersections are photo-enforced while also expanding coverage to new areas where violations are common. Officials have stated that if relocation does occur in the future, it will only be after a careful data-driven review.
Relationship to Speed Cameras
The expansion of red-light cameras is occurring at the same time as an expansion of the city’s speed camera program. New York already operates more than 2,000 speed cameras in school zones, and the program was extended through 2030. Together, red-light and speed cameras form the backbone of the city’s automated traffic enforcement system, addressing both signal violations and excessive speeding.
Fines and Penalties
Red-light camera tickets in New York City carry a $50 fine. Unlike traditional traffic tickets issued by a police officer, they do not add points to a driver’s license. This makes them civil penalties rather than moving violations. Tickets are issued to the registered owner of the vehicle, not necessarily the driver. Violations include photographic and video evidence that can be reviewed online by the ticket recipient. While the fine amount has remained steady, many have speculated that fines could increase as the program grows. However, city officials have suggested that the flat $50 fine keeps the program fair and consistent.
Criticism of the Program
Despite its safety goals, New York City’s red-light camera program has drawn criticism. Opponents argue that the cameras are more about revenue generation than safety and that they disproportionately affect working-class drivers who cannot easily afford the fines. Others raise concerns about privacy, accuracy, and the fairness of mailing tickets to vehicle owners rather than identifying drivers. Another major criticism is the timing of yellow lights. Some motorists claim that short yellow lights trap drivers into violations, and there is pending legislation in Albany that could standardize yellow light timing at a minimum of four seconds across the state. If passed, this would impact how violations are enforced and contested.
Support for the Expansion
Supporters of the expansion argue that the evidence is clear: red-light cameras reduce violations and crashes at intersections where they are installed. Studies from multiple states show decreases in both red-light running and T-bone crashes after camera enforcement begins. In a dense urban environment like New York City, where pedestrian and cyclist safety is a top priority, the cameras are seen as a vital tool. Community boards and safety advocates have largely backed the program, pointing to the thousands of injuries that occur annually due to red-light running.
What Drivers Should Expect in 2025 and Beyond
Drivers should prepare for gradual camera activations starting in late 2025 and continuing through 2027. Each new site will be announced in advance, and warning periods may be implemented before fines begin. Notices of Liability will continue to be mailed to registered owners, with photos and video evidence available online. Because the city is dramatically scaling up enforcement, drivers can expect to encounter red-light cameras in more neighborhoods than ever before. Intersections that previously had no monitoring could soon carry cameras, meaning habits like rolling through late yellow lights or speeding through the red will become increasingly risky.
Long-Term Implications
The long-term vision is to make automated enforcement a permanent part of traffic safety in New York City. If the 600-camera expansion proves successful, the program could be extended again beyond 2027. With the rise of new technologies, it is also possible that cameras could expand to detect additional violations, such as blocking the box or failing to yield to pedestrians. Automated enforcement is increasingly becoming the standard in large cities worldwide, and New York City is moving to keep pace.
Conclusion
New York City’s red-light camera expansion is one of the largest in the nation. While the law authorizing up to 600 cameras has been passed, 2025 is a transitional year as the city finalizes contracts, analyzes crash data, and prepares to begin installation. By 2027, drivers should expect photo enforcement at hundreds of additional intersections. The expansion reflects a broader trend toward automated enforcement designed to improve safety in one of the busiest traffic environments in the world. Whether you view the cameras as a revenue tool or a life-saving measure, they are becoming a permanent part of New York City’s streetscape.