The 150 red-light cameras that have accumulated in New York City have been a nuisance to drivers over the past five years, looming over the city’s intersections like mechanical snitches. Now, the state wants even more cameras. 40 more to be exact. Why, you ask? Because they’ve brought in a ton of money for the state of New York. Might as well milk the cash cow.
According to Department of Transportation records, the cameras raked in $37.2 million in 2009, and that number rose significantly last year to $52 million. Needless to say, all of those $50 tickets add up. Sure, the cameras have made drivers more cautious, but let’s call a spade a spade here: more cameras equal more money. When drivers get used to the cameras, the number of tickets issued levels out. Whenever additional cameras spring up, the number of tickets rises and so does that dollar amount. In millions.
Keep your eyes open, unless you’re interested in padding the city’s stats.
[via Gothamist]
