Avella Gets Crucial Amendment to Speed Camera Bill

Queens, NY – Today, Senator Tony Avella announced that he was able to secure a major amendment to the School Zone Speed Camera Bill (S6046B) introduced in the State Senate by Senator Jose Peralta.

While the bill did not pass the Senate before the end of Session in June, the Avella amendment requires the City of New York to install additional speed camera advance warning signs marked “Speed Camera Ahead” within or approaching such school speed zone, provided that such signs shall be no more than 300 feet from said speed camera.  

As deliberation over school zone cameras persisted during the legislative session, Senator Avella continued to push for the inclusion of this specific language to better protect pedestrians by ensuring that the cameras are actually used as deterrents and not revenue generating speed traps. 

“This amendment, when the bill is passed and enacted into law, will make sure that motorists are aware that a school speed zone is approaching and that there is a camera there that will be catching them if they violate the speed limit. Knowledge that a speed camera is ahead will have a greater impact on driver responsibility, thus resulting in reduced vehicle speeds, and in turn better protect pedestrians and make our streets safer,” said Senator Avella.

Following the successful inclusion of this amendment in the legislation, Avella signed onto the speed camera bill as a Co-sponsor.