Red-light camera bill clears state Senate

A bill to double the number of Nassau County intersections with red-light cameras has cleared one legislative hurdle.

The measure passed the State Senate late Wednesday without opposition, just days after the Nassau County Legislature voted to seek state approval for the idea.

Sponsored by state Sen. Charles Fuschillo (R-Merrick), the bill would double the number of red-light camera intersections to 100.

The program netted the county $10.3 million last year and could raise $47 million this year as new cameras are phased in, a spokeswoman for Nassau County Executive Edward Mangano said.

Passage in the Assembly is uncertain. Transportation Committee chairman David Gantt (D-Rochester) blocked the original proposal to install red-light cameras in Nassau County for years, over privacy concerns, until relenting last year.