To improve driver and pedestrian safety, Nassau County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi this week called on the state to allow Nassau to install 50 "red-light" cameras at high-risk intersections throughout the county. These cameras would take digital images of the license plates of vehicles running red lights and the county would then mail $50 summons to the cars' registered owners.

The measure, which needs approval from the state Legislature, was introduced into the state Senate by Republican Senators Charles Fuschillo (8th S.D. - Merrick), Kemp Hannon (6th S.D. - Garden City) and Carl Marcellino (5th S.D. - Syosset). Democratic New York State Assemblyman Charles Lavine (13th A.D. - Glen Cove) is sponsoring it in the Assembly. After being approved by the state, the measure would then need Nassau County Legislature approval.

New York City is the only municipality in the state that has Albany's permission to install red-light cameras - and the results have been dramatic. The city reported a 73 percent drop in violations between 1994, when the cameras first went up, and 2005. Additionally, New York City reported a 41 percent reduction in collisions and 35 percent drop in vehicular fatalities. And Philadelphia, which also has red-light cameras, reported a 72 percent reduction in violations between March 2005 and July 2006.

"I urge Albany approve the installation of these life-saving cameras at our highest-risk intersections," Suozzi said. "They are powerful tools that will help us reduce the number of car accidents and car-accident deaths, while giving us the ammunition we need to go after dangerous scofflaws."

"Drivers who run red lights cause higher speed, higher impact accidents, which put innocent lives at risk," said Fuschillo. "These cameras will deter drivers from recklessly speeding through red lights, and will go a long way toward saving lives, reducing injuries and preventing tragedies on the roads in Nassau County."

According to Lavine, "Protecting our citizens' lives and safety is government's first responsibility. Drivers who run red lights in Nassau County pose a serious danger to other motorists, pedestrians and themselves. Because photo monitoring has consistently reduced the threat of red-light running in other municipalities, I urge my Assembly colleagues to approve the installation of these life-saving devices in Nassau County."

Along with fewer accidents and fatalities, red light cameras would increase the county's revenue by about $7 million. The following four Hicksville intersections are among the 50 high-risk intersections considered prime candidates for red-light cameras:

• Old Country Road at South Oyster Bay Road - 204 accidents between 2000-2005;

• Old Country Road at Levittown Parkway - 130 accidents between 2000-2005;

• Old Country Road at Jerusalem Avenue -121 accidents between 2000-2005; and

• Old Country Road at Division Avenue - 65 accidents from 2000-2005.