Ithaca can use speed cameras in up to 12 school zones

Ithaca may choose to run a school speed camera program. The program may cover no more than 12 school speed zones at once. A zone may cover up to 1,320 feet of road passing a school building or an entrance or exit of a school next to the road. Cameras may operate whenever a school speed limit is in effect. Under other speed limits, they may operate on school days during school hours and one hour before and after, or during student activities and up to 30 minutes before and after. The city must post camera warning signs and consider speed data, crash history, and road layout when choosing locations. If Ithaca runs the program, it must study the results and report annually by June 1 on crashes, tickets, revenue, expenses, and how ticket disputes were handled. The law took effect September 13, 2026, 30 days after signing. It expires December 31, 2031.

If Ithaca runs the program, vehicle owners can face camera fines of up to $50, plus up to $25 for failing to respond. Tickets apply only to speeds more than 10 mph above the posted limit during allowed camera hours. These fines do not count as driver convictions or affect driving records or insurance. Owners are not liable if the driver lacked their permission or was convicted of the same speeding violation. Permission is presumed unless the owner shows otherwise. Owners may contest a ticket. A malfunctioning camera is a defense, as is a vehicle or plate reported stolen before the violation and still unrecovered. A rental or leasing company can transfer liability to the renter if it filed with the city beforehand and supplies the required renter information within 37 days of receiving notice. Cameras must pass a self-test each day they are used and an independent yearly accuracy check. Camera operators must complete training. The city must mail notices within 14 business days for New York residents or 45 business days for people who live outside New York.

Ithaca must restrict access to camera images and make reasonable efforts to avoid identifying drivers, passengers, or vehicle contents. These rules cover images recorded by Ithaca's school speed cameras. Images are generally reserved for resolving camera tickets and are not open to the public. Owners and drivers may inspect and copy images while the city keeps them. Images must be shared under qualifying search warrants or judge-signed demands for records involving misdemeanors or felonies. These court orders require reasonable grounds linking the images to a criminal investigation or case. Out-of-state conduct must also be a misdemeanor or felony in New York. A ticket cannot be dismissed solely because an image identifies someone or vehicle contents if the city shows it made reasonable efforts to avoid that. The city must destroy images when the ticket is finally resolved or one year after the ticket is issued, whichever is later.