Residents advocate for stop sign cameras on Roosevelt Island to enhance traffic safety, addressing ongoing violations, particularly from public safety vehicles, and reducing accidents at hazardous intersections.
By David Stone
The Roosevelt Island Daily News
“I would love to see stop sign cameras installed on Main Street,” Paul Krikler wrote. “Most vehicles do not stop and some barrel through. That happened to me a few times when I was actually on the cross walk.
“It seems like such an obvious solution.”
Krikler lives in Island House. Numerous others have complained about stop sign and crosswalk vehicle abuses.
But when we’re talking about traffic safety on Roosevelt Island, what’s obvious elsewhere is likely loaded with obstacles here. After years of resisting any change, RIOC’s Public Safety Department lit up some stop signs. They were goaded into it by residents.
To date, though, the plan is not complete. Some of the most hazardous situations are not addressed. For example, the crosswalk at Blackwell Park has a flashing stop sign only for northbound traffic. The far more hazardous southbound side remains dark. Southbound cars entering the blind curve are unlikely to see kids running to cross at the park.
There is no rhyme or reason to this, but Public Safety’s lackadaisical approach to… well, public safety leaves it predictable. And as any casual observer knows, the most consistent violators rolling through stop signs are PSD’s own vehicles and Red Buses.
We need more from RIOC than we are getting.
Stop Sign Cameras
“If you roll through a stop sign, you could get a $60 ticket in the mail. Is it a money grab or a safety policy?” The quote comes from a CBS News article about practices in the Long Island Village of Saddle Rock.
RIOC has cameras everywhere except in public restrooms – we hope. Placing stop sign cameras to deter violations should be right in its wheelhouse. Fines collected should not be considered serious additions to an already bloated budget. Targeting support for Island nonprofits would signal community commitment.
Studies have shown that cameras detecting stop sign violators can be effective in reducing violations and increasing safety.
- Reduced Violations:
- Cameras act as a strong deterrent. Drivers are less likely to run stop signs when they know they might be caught on camera.
- Studies have shown significant decreases in the number of stop sign violations at intersections equipped with cameras.
- Increased Safety:
- Running a stop sign significantly increases the risk of accidents, particularly dangerous T-bone collisions.
- By reducing the number of violations, cameras can help prevent accidents and injuries.
However, it’s important to note:
- Potential for Increased Rear-End Collisions: Some studies suggest that cameras might lead to a slight increase in rear-end collisions as drivers brake more abruptly to avoid potential tickets.
- Public Perception: Camera systems can sometimes be controversial and may face public opposition.
- Focus on Behavior Change: The primary goal should be to encourage safe driving habits, not just generate revenue from fines.
Overall:
While not without potential drawbacks, camera systems can be an effective tool for improving traffic safety at stop sign-controlled intersections.
The Line That Didn’t Land
I stood in the back of Good Shepherd Chapel on the evening of April 15, 2026, at the Steam Plant Demolition Town Hall, watching people adjust scarves and jackets before the meeting began. Benjamin Jones, President and CEO of RIOC, thanked us for attending and, without a pause, said he was “pleased to host tonight’s town hall on the city’s demolition of its steam plant.” The demolition, in other words, was not up for discussion.
