Advocates Call For License Plate Reading Cameras At LIRR Train Crossings
NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Advocates are pushing for cameras after a driver lost his life in Mattituck Tuesday when his pickup truck collided on the tracks with an LIRR train.
CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reports that license plate reading cameras could be coming to train crossings in an effort to stop motorists from trying to beat the locomotive.
"It is my intent, on a case-by-case basis, as part of improvements, to install cameras at those crossings," LIRR President Patrick Nowakowski said.
CBS2 reports there are 300 grade crossings on the Long Island system. Last year, there were 12 frightening incidents, up from four the year before.
Violators only receive warning letters right now because the state legislature hasn't yet acted on a bill allowing summonses for illegal crossings.
"The letter going out is meaningless, that is not going to do anything," Babylon LIRR commuter Stephen Quigley told CBS2. "That's not going to deter people from going through it."
After a Metro North train struck an SUV in Valhalla in February 2015 that killed the driver and five train passengers, many asked the New York state government for change.
"This bill is so important because after last year's Feb. 3 train accident," state Sen. Terrence Murphy, who sponsored the LIRR camera crossing bill, told CBS2. "It became crystal clear and apparent that we had to do something about these crossings."
If camera tickets are approved, anyone accelerating past lights and bells – even before the gates start to come down – would be mailed a $100 fine.
MTA police have issues 127 summonses at grade crossing so far this year.
