Speeding is one of the top causes of deadly car crashes, but New York City’s automated speed cameras are helping make the streets safer—especially around schools.
A recent study by NYU researchers found that crashes dropped by 14% and speeding tickets fell by 75% over time after cameras were installed.
However, it takes about six months for drivers to really change their behavior.
The study was done by the C2SMARTER Center at NYU Tandon School of Engineering and looked at more than 1,800 speed cameras in school zones from 2019 to 2021.
These cameras are part of a growing city program that now covers all 750 school zones with over 2,200 cameras, operating 24/7.
The results match a 2024 report from the NYC Department of Transportation, which also found a 14% drop in injuries and deaths at locations with cameras.
But the NYU study went deeper by tracking each individual camera over time, not just looking at citywide averages.
“We learned that most cameras take a few months to start working well,” said Jingqin Gao, the lead author of the study. “Once people know a camera is there, they begin to slow down—and those changes usually last.”
But the effect isn’t the same everywhere. Some neighborhoods saw bigger or faster improvements than others.
And during the COVID-19 pandemic, there were temporary spikes in speeding in certain areas—even where cameras were already working. The study found four different patterns in how drivers responded to new cameras.
Some locations saw quick and strong drops in speeding. Others took longer—up to a year and a half—but still showed real improvements.
A few spots saw little change at first, and some even had more speeding during the early pandemic months. This showed that driver behavior doesn’t change overnight, but usually improves with time.
What makes this study unique is the advanced method used to measure safety. Instead of simply counting crashes, researchers looked at how much time passed between crashes, using a tool called “Survival Analysis with Random Effects.”
This method helps traffic experts make faster decisions about where to place safety features without waiting years for results.
“This isn’t just about handing out speeding tickets,” said Professor Kaan Ozbay, director of the research center. “It’s about using smart data tools to save lives.”
The takeaway? Speed cameras work—but they need time, and their success depends on where and how they’re used. This research could help other cities build safer streets with data-driven plans, tailored to local needs.
