The number of speed cameras around New York City schools will more than double under a plan Gov. Andrew Cuomo plans to announce Tuesday in his State of the State speech.
The city has been clamoring for cameras, but was unable to get a bill through the Legislature last year because of opposition from state Senate Republicans.
But with Democrats now in full control of state government, Cuomo plans to announce support for adding 150 cameras to the 140 now operating, bringing the total to 290.
“There is indisputable evidence that speed cameras save lives, and as public servants we must use every available tool to protect our children,” Cuomo said in a statement Monday.
Transportation advocates lauded the move.
“The New York City speed camera program has saved countless lives and that the governor intends to make it a priority to save even more school children from reckless drivers is welcome news,” said Joe Cutrufo, a spokesman for Transportation Alternatives.
The speed camera program fell victim to Albany gridlock at the end of the last legislative session when Senate Republicans held the program hostage in a bid to score wins on other unrelated policy matters.
As a result, for a few weeks in 2018, all the cameras went dark.
The cameras were only turned back on in September after City Council Speaker Corey Johnson, Mayor Bill de Blasio and Cuomo struck a deal to execute a series of emergency legal maneuvers to circumvent the shutdown.