### The Rise of Super Speeders in NYC In New York City, speed cameras have been a growing feature of urban driving, aiming to reduce unwanted driving behaviors in residential neighborhoods and highly trafficked areas. Preliminary data confirms the camera-based approach to traffic calming works, with a 14 percent reduction in injuries and fatalities, and a 75 percent average reduction in speeding, in areas with speed cameras compared to those without the tech. However, a closer analysis of 2025 data reveals that the behavior science behind traffic cameras may not work on the more affluent among us. ### The "Super Speeders" of NYC Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets contend that the behavior science behind traffic cameras may not be effective on a select group of drivers, who they term "super speeders." These drivers, who rack up 16 tickets or more in one year, have amassed more than $10 ...
### The Rise of Super Speeders in NYC
In New York City, speed cameras have been a growing feature of urban driving, aiming to reduce unwanted driving behaviors in residential neighborhoods and highly trafficked areas. Preliminary data confirms the camera-based approach to traffic calming works, with a 14 percent reduction in injuries and fatalities, and a 75 percent average reduction in speeding, in areas with speed cameras compared to those without the tech. However, a closer analysis of 2025 data reveals that the behavior science behind traffic cameras may not work on the more affluent among us.
### The “Super Speeders” of NYC
Transportation Alternatives and Families for Safe Streets contend that the behavior science behind traffic cameras may not be effective on a select group of drivers, who they term “super speeders.” These drivers, who rack up 16 tickets or more in one year, have amassed more than $10 million in traffic camera tickets, with some key attributes bonding these rule breakers. These “super speeders” are 72 percent more likely to drive a new vehicle than the average driver, and 57 percent more likely to drive a luxury vehicle than the average driver.
### The Cost of Speeding
The average “super speeder” has paid off $4890 in tickets, while the “winner” in 2025 paid off more than $70,536 in fines. A select group of 950 super speeders have paid off $10,000 or more, with one owner owing more than $95,000 to the city. This is equivalent to enough to buy a brand-new 2026 Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.
### A Call to Action
Lobby groups like Families for Safe Streets, which is primarily comprised of people who have lost loved ones due to traffic violence, are focused on curbing super speeders due to their disproportionate likelihood to be responsible for a fatal collision. The Stop Super Speeders bill, which has been introduced into the latest session of the New York State Legislature, is their main tool. The bill aims to mandate intelligence speed assistance systems for repeat offenders, and is a crucial step in addressing the issue of wealthy drivers evading speed cameras in NYC.
### Conclusion
The issue of wealthy drivers evading speed cameras in NYC is a complex one, with socioeconomic factors playing a significant role. The Stop Super Speeders bill is a crucial step in addressing this issue, and mandating intelligence speed assistance systems for repeat offenders could help to reduce the number of fatal collisions on NYC’s roads. By taking a closer look at the data and the behavior of super speeders, we can work towards creating a safer, more equitable transportation system for all New Yorkers.
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