Drivers who paid Suffolk County’s red-light camera administrative fee may receive up to $36 per eligible ticket under a proposed $57.5 million settlement. The proposal covers the $30 fee charged between 2013 and 2023, with payments dependent on how many drivers submit claims and final court approval.
The refund would apply regardless of where a driver lives. Eligibility would therefore include residents who received Suffolk County tickets while traveling through areas where the cameras operated, even if no cameras operated in their hometown.
How much could drivers receive?
The settlement agreement would make up to $45 million available to reimburse drivers for the $30 administrative fee added to red-light camera tickets issued from 2013 through 2023. Each eligible claimant could receive the original $30 fee plus $6 in interest, for a total of $36.
The amount could be closer to $18 per ticket if every eligible driver submits a claim. As of the July 31 report, drivers could not apply yet because the settlement still required final court approval.
Suffolk County added the $30 administrative fee to the $50 fine for a red-light camera violation. County records obtained by Newsday showed that the county collected roughly $91 million through those fees over a decade.
Which tickets could qualify?
The refund is based on where the violation occurred, not where the driver lives. A resident could qualify after receiving a ticket while traveling through a part of Suffolk County served by a red-light camera program.
There were no red-light cameras in the towns of Riverhead or Southold. According to Suffolk County’s archived camera list, the nearest camera-equipped intersection was at Route 25A and Hallock Landing Road in Rocky Point.
How will eligible drivers receive notice?
After a court grants final approval, Kroll Settlement Administration plans to mail notices to eligible drivers and launch a social media campaign explaining how to submit claims. The settlement administrator expects notices to reach about 90% of those eligible, according to the agreement.
No date has been announced for the court hearing on final approval.
Why is Suffolk County making the payment?
A state appeals court ruled in 2024 that Suffolk County’s added $30 charge violated state law. The state limit allowed a $50 penalty for a red-light camera violation and a $25 late fee.
The proposed settlement would also provide $12.5 million to the attorneys who brought the class-action lawsuit following a decade of litigation. Suffolk County admitted no wrongdoing as part of the agreement.
What happened to the camera program?
Suffolk County ended its red-light camera program on Dec. 1, 2024, shortly after losing its appeal. Some cameras and warning signs remain in place, but the county no longer issues tickets through the program.
What to do now
- Keep any Suffolk County red-light camera tickets issued from 2013 through 2023, including records of the $30 administrative fee and payment.
- Check whether claims have opened. As of the July 31 report, the claims process had not opened.
- Monitor notices from Kroll Settlement Administration after approval, as the settlement administrator plans to notify eligible drivers and explain how to apply.
- Be alert for the court’s final approval and any confirmed payment amount, since the payment per ticket depends on the number of claims submitted.
- Check the location of each ticket when assessing possible eligibility, because residence does not determine qualification.
FAQ
How much could drivers get back from the Suffolk County settlement?
Drivers could receive up to $36 per eligible ticket, consisting of the $30 administrative fee and $6 in interest. The payment could be closer to $18 per ticket if all eligible drivers submit claims.
Can I apply for the Suffolk County ticket refund now?
Not as of the July 31 report, which said the settlement must receive final court approval before drivers can apply. After approval, Kroll Settlement Administration plans to send notices and explain how to submit a claim.
Do I have to live in Suffolk County to qualify for a refund?
No. The refund applies regardless of where a driver lives. Eligibility depends on receiving a qualifying ticket while traveling through a part of Suffolk County where cameras operated.