From 2000 to 2005, the intersection of Carmans Road and Louden Street in Massapequa, itself the entrance to the Sunrise Mall, was the site of 70 accidents, 41 one of which could have been prevented if the motorist had not ignored the traffic signal. Some 53 injuries resulted from those 70 crashes.

In response, the New York State Senate has approved legislation that would permit the installation of 50 "red-light" cameras at high-risk intersections throughout Nassau County. The cameras would take digital images of the license plates of vehicles running red lights. The county would then mail a fine of up to $50 to the cars' registered owners whenever a camera captures a violation.

According to the Nassau County Traffic Safety Board, there were 46,332 crashes between 2000 and 2006 at the intersections where the county would install red light cameras under this legislation. These crashes resulted in 26,470 injuries and 124 fatalities. It is estimated that red light cameras would reduce fatalities by 25 percent.

In New York City, installation of red-light cameras has contributed to increased traffic safety at intersections. The city reported a 73 percent drop in violations between 1994, when cameras first were installed, and 2005. Additionally, the city reported a 41 percent reduction in collisions and 35 percent drop in vehicular fatalities.

The New York State Legislature has judged New York City's program to be a traffic safety success and recently doubled the number of intersections with cameras there from 50 to 100.

State Senator Carl Fuschillo Jr. (R.-Merrick) first announced the Nassau County red-light initiative with County Executive Thomas R. Suozzi during a press conference in April 2007 at that same intersection of Carmans Road and Louden Street.

The legislation (S.4296) now goes to the State Assembly, where it is sponsored by Assemblyman Charles Lavine.