New York City has reached the ceiling of its red light camera program. The city has added cameras at 450 more intersections, bringing the total to 600 across the five boroughs, the maximum allowed under state law.
The expansion follows a 2024 bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul that widened red light camera programs statewide. For the city, the law raised the cap from 150 intersections to 600, with a 2027 deadline to reach that number. According to the city, all 600 are now up and running.
The city says the cameras are working. At camera locations, red-light running has dropped by more than 80 percent, officials report. Injuries from rear-end collisions are down 60 percent, and injuries from T-bone crashes, which often occur when a driver speeds through a red and strikes cross traffic, have fallen by 70 percent.
Site selection is data-driven. The Department of Transportation places cameras at intersections based on records of T-bone crashes and injuries caused by drivers running red lights, rather than spreading them evenly across boroughs.
The enforcement numbers show who gets caught and how often. In 2025, 95 percent of vehicles caught running red lights received a maximum of one or two violations, according to the city. About 39 percent of violations go to vehicles registered outside New York City, a reminder that the city’s streets are shared with commuters and visitors from well beyond the five boroughs.
The penalty is modest on a per-ticket basis. Drivers who run a red light face a $50 fine. The program is also a meaningful revenue source: as 6sqft previously reported, it generated $20 million in net revenue in 2024, when the network was far smaller.
The milestone is an early policy talking point for Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who framed the program as a proven safety tool. “Safer streets aren’t a guessing gameโwe know the tools proven to keep New Yorkers safe. Red light cameras help us get home safely by holding dangerous drivers accountable and preventing crashes before they happen,” Mamdani said. He added that with all 600 intersections operating, “we are stopping dangerous behavior before tragedy can strike and making our streets safer for everyone who walks, bikes, drives or takes the bus.”
With the state-imposed cap now reached, any further growth in camera coverage would require new authorization from Albany. For fleet operators, delivery companies and rideshare drivers who spend their workdays on city streets, the practical takeaway is simple: red light enforcement now covers 600 intersections, up from 150 under the earlier cap.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many red light cameras does NYC have now?
New York City has 600 red light camera intersections across its five boroughs, the maximum allowed under state law. That is up from 150 before a 2024 law signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul raised the cap.
How much is the red light camera fine in New York City?
Drivers who run a red light face a $50 fine. The program generated $20 million in net revenue in 2024.
Have red light cameras reduced crashes in NYC?
City officials report that red-light running dropped more than 80 percent at camera locations. Rear-end collision injuries are down 60 percent and T-bone crash injuries are down 70 percent.
How does NYC decide where to put red light cameras?
The Department of Transportation places cameras based on records of T-bone crashes and injuries caused by drivers running red lights. Placement is not spread evenly across boroughs.
Can NYC add more red light cameras beyond 600?
Not without new authorization. Since the state-imposed cap of 600 has been reached, any further expansion would require approval from Albany.
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