Amsterdam may use speed cameras in five school zones

Amsterdam may run a trial program using speed cameras in up to five school speed zones at once. School speed zones cover stretches of road up to 1,320 feet long passing a school building, entrance, or exit next to the road. The city must choose to run the program. Cameras may operate when school speed limits apply. For other speed limits, use is limited to 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 warning signs, train camera operators, test cameras daily, and have an independent laboratory check their accuracy annually. If the city runs the program, it must study the results and report on crashes, violations, fines, costs, and case outcomes by June 1, 2027, and each June 1 while the program operates. The law took effect September 13, 2026, 30 days after signing. Its provisions expire December 31, 2031.

Vehicle owners can owe up to $50 per camera-recorded violation and up to $25 more for failing to respond on time. Penalties apply only if Amsterdam runs the program and cameras record a vehicle traveling more than 10 mph above the posted limit during allowed times. The driver must have the owner’s permission, which is presumed unless challenged. No owner fine applies if the driver was convicted of the same violation. Owners can contest charges, including when a camera malfunctioned or a vehicle or plate was reported stolen before the violation and remained unrecovered. Vehicle rental owners can shift responsibility to renters by meeting the applicable filing rules and providing renter information within 37 days after receiving the required notice. These charges do not count as driver convictions, enter driving records, or affect insurance. Notices must be mailed within 14 business days for New York residents or 45 business days for nonresidents.

Amsterdam must limit access to camera images and delete them after the required retention period. These rules cover images from Amsterdam’s school speed cameras. The images are not open to the public. The city must make reasonable efforts to avoid images identifying drivers, passengers, or vehicle contents. An identifying image alone does not cancel a charge if the city made those efforts. Owners and drivers may inspect and copy retained images. Access for criminal cases requires a qualifying court-issued search warrant or judge-signed subpoena. For offenses outside New York, the conduct must also be a misdemeanor or felony under New York law. The city must delete images when the charge is finally resolved or one year after the notice was issued, whichever comes later.