Have you been accused of having a “lead foot” when you’re behind the wheel? Are you occasionally desperate enough to get somewhere on time that you’re willing to rush through a traffic light when you know it’s already too late?

You might want to think twice before you make such a slip-up again. As of Aug. 8, 2022, the speed cameras that are spread throughout New York City are operating all day, every day.

This is a Big Change

Prior to the switch, the roughly 2,000 traffic cameras located around the city were not allowed to be used overnight (past 10 PM and before 6 AM) or on weekends. However, city officials noted that speeding at camera locations had dropped an impressive 72% – and injuries in those locations were down 14%.

Unfortunately, when the cameras were off, it was a different story. A third of all non-highway traffic fatalities were happening right under the lenses of those dark cameras.

In general, the authorities have committed to improving public safety through a number of additions, including plans to redesign intersections so that they’re safer for pedestrians and cyclists and ongoing campaigns to target reckless drivers and speeders. However, this newest addition to the mix may take a few people by surprise.

If you’ve been charged with a speeding violation and have a ticket from a traffic cam, don’t assume that you can’t fight back. You may have more available defenses than you realize, and you certainly don’t want to pay a high price because a camera was calibrated incorrectly or something similar.