New York’s Nassau County Selects American Traffic Solutions for Red-Light Camera Program

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--Nassau County, New York, which is located on Long Island, just east of the New York City Borough of Queens, has selected American Traffic Solutions, Inc. (ATS) of Scottsdale, AZ to run its new red light camera safety program. The contract calls for the installation of cameras across fifty (50) County intersections during the next 18 months.

Nassau County is one of six (6) New York counties and cities that will implement red light camera safety programs in the wake of legislation recently signed into law by New York State Governor David A. Paterson. Previously, only New York City had legislative authorization to implement red light cameras. New York City’s red light camera program, which is also run by ATS, has been in place since 1994. NYC has logged a 73 percent reduction in red light violations since the red light cameras were activated and many pedestrian, bicyclist and motorists’ lives have been saved by the reduction in crashes.

“We are very pleased that both the State and County legislatures passed bills enabling Nassau County to use technology that will improve public safety,” said Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi. “Running red lights in Nassau County is a common cause of accidents which often result in injuries and sometimes deaths.” Suozzi continued, “We were impressed by ATS’ track record of improving public safety in New York City and across the country and the fact that they have an operations facility and local staff close to us contributed to our decision to choose them as our public safety partner.”

“Red light camera programs have modified driver behavior by reducing violations and crashes in many communities nationally,” said Francis X. Ryan, Deputy County Executive for Public Safety. “While we would love to have the 73 percent violation reduction that NYC has experienced with ATS’ technology, we know that with any reduction in violations and crashes, we will have made our citizens and our communities much safer. Our goal is to get Nassau County’s program up and running as soon as possible to improve public safety.”

“We’re gratified that Nassau County selected ATS, and we look forward to providing Nassau with our latest technology that will help them meet their public safety goals,” said James Tuton, president and CEO of ATS. “Nassau County is committed to developing innovative, effective and cost-effective ways to deliver police services and to resolve problems. ATS shares that commitment and looks forward to being Nassau County’s partner in achieving these goals.

“Thanks to the State and County Legislature and the Governor, ATS will now be able to help New York municipalities and counties achieve the same public safety results we’ve helped New York City achieve,” continued Tuton. “As the first and only photo traffic enforcement provider in the state, we are uniquely positioned to focus our local resources, facilities and staff expertise to increase public safety in New York. We look forward to helping communities across the state implement this proven, life-saving law enforcement tool that improves public safety at no cost to taxpayers.”

ATS serves more than 150 communities across North America with photo-enforcement programs, including red-light cameras and mobile and fixed-site speed enforcement cameras. ATS’ New York City office will be responsible for the installation and maintenance of Nassau County’s program.