If you were seriously injured in a car crash caused by someone else's negligence, such as a driver running a red light, you might wonder if Long Island traffic cameras caught the exact moment of the accident. Video footage can be the most convincing evidence to prove what happened and support your Long Island car accident case.
Accessing traffic camera footage in Nassau County or Suffolk County can be frustrating. Our Long Island car accident lawyers explain how it may be possible to secure this vital information for your case.
- What Are the Three Main Types of Traffic Cameras in Nassau and Suffolk Counties?
- Red Light Camera Programs on Long Island
- How Does the Red Light Camera Program Work in Nassau County?
- How to Know If an Intersection Has a Red Light Camera in Nassau County
- How Does the Red Light Camera Program Work in Suffolk County?
- Alternative Sources of Traffic Footage
- How Can a Long Island Personal Injury Firm Help?
What Are the Three Main Types of Traffic Cameras in Nassau and Suffolk Counties?
In New York, traffic cameras are generally categorized into three main groups—red light cameras, speed cameras, and general traffic cameras—each with a different purpose, location, and data retention policy.
| Feature | Red Light / Speed Cameras | General Traffic Cameras |
| Primary Goal | Ticketing / Enforcement | Traffic Flow / Safety Monitoring |
| Archiving | Always recorded if triggered | Rarely recorded / Live stream |
| Evidence | Accessible via citation and PIN | Difficult to access (requires FOIL) |
| Retention | Usually several years (legal records) | 0 to 72 hours (if recorded at all) |
Red Light Camera Programs on Long Island
As of early 2026, the Nassau County Red Light Camera Program remains active, while Suffolk County’s program officially expired and was deactivated on December 1, 2024.
How Does the Red Light Camera Program Work in Nassau County?
To view video footage or images from a red light intersection camera in Nassau County, you can go to the county’s website at its violation information page. You can also visit this site to pay fines. You’ll need to follow the online prompts by entering the number on your ticket and the accompanying PIN that came with it. Typically, this can only be accessed if you were issued a citation.
Who Can Access Red Light Traffic Camera Recordings?
According to the Photo Enforcement – Red Light Camera Program site, in Nassau County, video and images of violations captured by red light cameras are available to Notice of Liability recipients, but they are exempt from New York's Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) requests. As a result, this information is not released to the general public, but an injured driver may still have the right to obtain traffic camera footage in Nassau County with the help of an attorney.
Requesting Traffic Camera Footage by Mail
Before contacting this office with your request for traffic camera video, make sure you have complete location-identifying information (the intersection or the name of the road), as well as the date and time where your violation or crash took place.
A driver can submit a written request:
Nassau County Traffic and Parking Violations Agency (NCTPVA)
General Counsel – Video Request
16 Cooper Street
Hempstead, NY 11550
You can also phone them with questions at: 1-855-571-5134.
Visiting the Office
Another option is to visit the office:
NCTPVA
16 Cooper Street
Hempstead, NY 11550-4063
How to Know If an Intersection Has a Red Light Camera in Nassau County
Nassau County traffic law requires "stop here on red" signs at all intersections with red light cameras. After a collision, you can determine if an intersection was monitored by looking for this sign and cameras mounted on street poles or traffic lights.
How Does the Red Light Camera Program Work in Suffolk County?
The Suffolk County Red Light Safety Program is no longer active. The program expired on December 1, 2024, and the cameras at approximately 100 intersections have been deactivated. No new tickets will be issued for violations occurring on or after this date. However, any tickets issued before December 1, 2024, are still valid and must be paid. Additionally, a class action lawsuit is underway to seek refunds for illegal "administrative fees" charged to drivers between 2013 and 2022.
Alternative Sources of Traffic Footage
While the "Red Light Safety Program" cameras are no longer recording in Suffolk County, other cameras may have captured your accident.
Government and Public Cameras
- New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) Traffic Cameras: NYSDOT is a government agency that uses specific cameras to monitor traffic flow. These are for traffic management, not enforcement. Many of these cameras only stream live and do not record footage. If they do record, the footage is often deleted within 24 to 72 hours. However, some third-party sites do record certain footage, and it can be obtained for a fee.
- Nassau County Police Department (NCPD), Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD), and Department of Public Works (DPW): The local police departments and the DPW operate other live traffic cameras. You can request footage by filing a FOIL request with the appropriate department.
- New York State (NYS) Thruway Authority: For accidents on major highways like the Long Island Expressway (I-495), the Thruway Authority has its own camera network.
- Public Transit: If a Suffolk County Transit, Nassau Inter-County Express (NICE), or Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) bus was near the accident, its onboard camera coverage may have recorded the incident.
Commercial and Private Cameras
- Private Business Surveillance: Nearby businesses like gas stations, convenience stores, or retailers often have security cameras that capture intersections.
- Residential Cameras: Smart doorbells (like Ring or Nest) on corner properties can record accidents.
- Dashcams: Other drivers may have dashcam footage of the accident. For example, Tesla vehicles often record their surroundings.
- Witness Recordings: Witnesses may have recorded the accident on their cell phones.
Time is critical. Footage may be deleted in as little as 24 hours, and private contractors' footage is often overwritten within a few days or weeks. It is vital to act immediately and discuss your case with an attorney to preserve this evidence.
How Can a Long Island Personal Injury Firm Help?
If another driver caused your accident, you'll need strong evidence like police reports and traffic camera footage to prove it. Getting this footage on your own is difficult, as it's often deleted quickly.
Our team can help build your car accident claim by acting quickly to preserve vital evidence, prove fault, detect violations, gather relevant details, and prove liability for the time the accident occurred. We handle all the paperwork, negotiations with insurance companies, and other public records related to the accident, so you can focus on recovery.
Call Us for a Free Consultation
Our law firm works on a contingency basis—you don't pay unless we win your case. Call today to discuss your case. Let us help you get the fair compensation you deserve.