News

Slow down in school zones

Nassau County to install 77 speed cameras

Posted

High schools and middle schools in East Rockaway and Lynbrook are among the 77 speed camera enforcement locations listed by the Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency that have, or will have, cameras set up to catch speeders. The TPVA intends to install at least one camera in each of the county’s 56 school districts.

In East Rockaway, a camera will be located near the high school, on Ocean Avenue. In Lynbrook, there will be one at the high school, on Atlantic Avenue; at North Middle School, on Merrick Road; and at South Middle School, on Union Avenue.

According to a press release sent out by the county, cameras at some locations are already operating, while other locations are still being analyzed for constructability, viability and the potential safety risk to students. In the two local districts, only North Middle School currently has a working camera.

“Our goal is to make our roadways safer by reducing speeding vehicles, collisions, associated injuries and fatalities,” said the TPVA’s executive director, Judge John Marks. “A child has only a 30 percent chance of surviving being struck by a car traveling 40 mph, but an 80 percent chance of surviving if the car is traveling 30 mph.”

Locations were determined based on traffic studies, and after discussions with school officials — some of whom requested the cameras, according to Nassau County’s senior policy adviser and communications director, Brian Nevin. “Studies found more than 200 motorists per hour exceeding school speed zone limits by at least 20 mph in some areas,” Nevin said.

Each violation is $50, and an additional $30 administrative fee covers the county’s processing of the ticket. The speed camera program is expected to generate up to $30 million in annual revenue for the county, according to official projections.

School zones will be photo-enforced between 7 a.m. and 6 p.m. on school days, but patrol officers can issue tickets anytime to motorists driving over the posted limit. Speed cameras issue tickets only when motorists exceed the posted limit by more than 10 mph.

Page 1 / 3