$35M pilot program proposal aims crack down on New York City's double parkers
Similar to a red light or speed camera, vehicles would be ticketed automatically for double parking or idling for an extended period of time.
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Listen up drivers! There is a new push to crackdown on illegal and double-parked cars.
Sometimes double parking may seem unavoidable in New York City, but doing so could block someone in and prevent emergency cars from getting through causing hazards.
Those are just a few of the reasons why lawmakers want to have cameras set up to ticket people who are illegally parked.
Under a $35 million pilot program, 150 cameras would be set up throughout the city in areas that have high volumes of 311 calls for double parking. Similar to a red light or speed camera, vehicles would be ticketed automatically for double parking or idling for an extended period of time.
Queens state Assemblymember Steven Raga is leading the charge to get legislation passed and money included in the state budget. He says the purpose is not to target any one specific neighborhood but to help with manual enforcement and keep roads safe.
"They go ahead and file a 311 complaint but by the time police come the car is gone,"
Raga says they are working on an amendment to the legislation that would include a five-minute grace period. Tickets would start at $50 for the first offense and could be as high as $250 for repeat offenders, according to the assemblyman.
More than 336,000 tickets were issued in 2024 for double parking, according to city data. The city's Department of Transportation says there is proof that automated enforcement does work.
“Automated enforcement has proven to change driver behavior and make our streets safer for everyone. While we are reviewing this legislation, NYC DOT supports expanding the use of automated enforcement to uphold the city’s parking regulations, which are essential to keeping streets clear, reducing traffic congestion, and protecting New Yorkers on our roads," Anna Correa, a spokesperson for DOT wrote in a statement.
