BILL NUMBER: S7500
SPONSOR: HARCKHAM
 
TITLE OF BILL:
An act to amend the vehicle and traffic law, in relation to adjudi-
cations and owner liability for a violation of traffic-control signal
indications in the city of Peekskill; to amend the public officers law,
in relation to accessing records; and providing for the repeal of
certain provisions upon expiration thereof
 
PURPOSE OR GENERAL IDEA OF BILL:
To authorize and regulate the use of automated traffic enforcement
cameras in the City of Peekskill to identify and issue violations for
running red lights. It outlines the procedures for adjudicating such
violations, establishes owner liability, and includes provisions for
public access to related records.
 
SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:
Section 1 adds a new section 1111-i to the vehicle and traffic law to
authorize the City of Peekskill to establish a demonstration program for
red-light camera enforcement at up to nine intersections. The program
will impose monetary liability on vehicle owners whose vehicles are
recorded by automated traffic-control signal photo violation-monitoring
systems failing to comply with traffic signal indications.
Section 2 amends subdivision 2 of section 87 of the Public Officers Law
by adding a new paragraph to exempt from public disclosure any photo-
graphs, microphotographs, videotape, or other recorded images produced
under the authority of the red-light camera program established by
Section 1111-i of the vehicle and traffic law.
Section 3 requires that the purchase or lease of equipment for the
Peekskill red light camera demonstration program comply with municipal
procurement rules as outlined in section 103 of the General Municipal
Law.
Section 4 sets the effective date
 
JUSTIFICATION:
This bill seeks to improve traffic safety and reduce red-light
violations in the City of Peekskill by authorizing the use of photo
enforcement technology. By allowing a targeted demonstration program at
up to nine intersections, the city can deter dangerous driving behavior,
prevent accidents and enhance pedestrian and cyclist safety. Also, by
limiting the use of recorded images it allows individual privacy to be
protected as well as requiring transparency and local control through
municipal procurement rules, which allows the bill to balance enforce-
ment needs with civil liberties.
 
PRIOR LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
New bill.
 
FISCAL IMPLICATIONS FOR STATE AND LOCAL GOVERNMENTS:
TBD.
 
EFFECTIVE DATE:
This act shall take effect immediately and shall expire and be deemed
repealed 3 years after such date.

Statutes affected:
S7500: 87 public officers law, 87(2) public officers law