Advancing the Playbook for Safer Streets

The latest report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shows an 8.2 percent drop in roadway fatalities during the first half of 2025, the largest first-half decline since 2008. The fatality rate also fell to its lowest midyear level since 2014. These improvements follow years of worsening outcomes after the COVID-19 era and reflect a mix of improvements, including changes in travel patterns, roadway design investments and the expansion of technology-focused, evidence-based safety measures.

Many states and cities that have modernized their traffic safety strategies, including automated enforcement, are beginning to see measurable gains. The question now is how to build on the early progress through technological advancements and strategic partnerships to move closer to zero deaths and serious injuries on our roadways.

WHERE SAFETY GAINS ARE EMERGING

Several jurisdictions that have kept long-running automated speed and red light programs in place while updating older laws are seeing promising results. Many agencies have concluded that suspending a driver’s license can be a harsh penalty for a single violation, especially for residents who rely on driving for work. Civil, vehicle-based penalties with lower fine levels are becoming a more practical way to encourage safer behavior without creating disproportionate impacts.

The number of U.S. communities operating speed cameras has grown significantly, with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety reporting 333 communities with programs as of November 2025, up from approximately 247 in 2024.

New York City is a well-documented example. It has operated one of the largest safety-camera networks in the world for more than a decade. When its speed camera program briefly went dark in 2018 during a lapse in state authorization, New York City Department of Transportation analyses and advocacy group research showed an increase in speeding and serious crashes. After the state reauthorized and expanded the program, safety trends improved again. That history has made New York a reference point for how consistent, well-structured programs can support Vision Zero goals.

California is following a similar path with its speed safety pilot, authorized under AB 645, which allows selected cities to operate clearly defined safety programs. The legislation emphasizes appropriate signage, public reporting and civil penalties. It enables cities to direct a portion of revenue toward traffic calming and local safety improvements, funding a virtuous cycle of safety improvements.

Other states are making similar updates. Colorado has expanded its red light camera and work-zone authorities and continues to refine older statutes. Hawaii moved from a limited Honolulu pilot into a broader set of tools that now include speed, red light and noise-based enforcement, reflecting both safety needs and livability concerns.

These state-level reforms align with the Safe System approach, which emphasizes managing speed, reducing crash forces, strengthening responsibility and layering multiple safety strategies together.

PUBLIC SUPPORT IS STRENGTHENING

Public acceptance of automated enforcement is also rising. Many residents see bad behavior on their own streets and want reliable tools to address safety issues.

A New York City poll found that 78 percent of voters supported adding more speed safety cameras in school zones, including 73 percent of drivers. Support for red light cameras reached 85 percent. Those numbers indicate that when programs are clearly tied to the safety of children and other vulnerable road users, the public is more likely to support them.

A 2025 national academic study reached a similar conclusion. Seventy-one percent of respondents supported automated speed enforcement in their community when they believed speeding was a serious issue. Support increased when programs were described with clear signage, reasonable civil fines and transparent reporting. These findings track with what many cities have reported during program rollouts.

PROTECTING THE PEOPLE MOST AT RISK

One of the most significant shifts in recent years is the emphasis on protecting vulnerable road users. School bus stop-arm programs are one example. The National Association of State Directors of Pupil Transportation Services (NASDPTS) says up to 39.3 million motorists illegally pass school buses annually. Drivers regularly pass stopped buses on roads posted at 35 miles per hour or higher, creating serious risk for children boarding or exiting the bus. Verra Mobility programs show that 98 percent of drivers who receive a stop-arm citation do not receive a second one. This indicates that consistent, predictable enforcement can help change behavior.

States are also strengthening automated work-zone enforcement. Even at modest speeds, workers standing just feet from moving traffic face high risk, and states are looking for more predictable enforcement options to reduce injuries.

LEARNING FROM EARLIER CHALLENGES

Not every automated enforcement program was well designed in the past. Some early efforts relied on more severe penalties or unclear public communication. In several places, vendor practices or revenue-centric models eroded public trust. Although most of these legacy programs have since been reformed or retired, they continue to shape public perception.

Newer programs look very different. States are adopting civil, vehicle-based penalties that avoid license points or criminal consequences. Fine levels tend to be lower and often graduated by speed or infraction severity. Signage, site selection and public reporting requirements are more clearly defined, and communities are prioritizing partnerships to develop more successful programs. That transparency helps communities understand why enforcement is happening and how locations are chosen. Through these changes, road safety programs are increasingly grounded in proactive, meaningful strategies that address real-world problems.

WHAT SUCCESSFUL PROGRAMS TEND TO SHARE

Across states and cities, several themes appear repeatedly:

● Start with a safety lens. Agencies that study crash patterns, near misses and community concerns see stronger results and can more clearly explain their decisions.

● Engage communities. Residents, school leaders and local businesses often know the specific locations where problems occur, and they can help shape priorities. Community members, neighboring agencies, other vendors and service providers are engaged as partners to facilitate continuous improvement.

● Design clear and transparent programs. Straightforward signage, accessible public information and regular reporting help build trust and reduce confusion.

● Prioritize privacy and security. Cities are seeking vendors with strong cybersecurity posture, limited data retention windows, human review of potential violations and clear emphasis on robust data privacy practices.

● Use the data to guide improvements. Because automated systems operate daily, they can show where speeding is chronic or where drivers brake hard or block crosswalks. That information can help agencies prioritize engineering changes and respond to constituent concerns.

A PATH FORWARD

The recent decline in national traffic deaths announced in September 2025 shows that updated, consistent safety strategies are starting to make a difference. Automated enforcement is not the only solution, but when implemented with a clear safety purpose and strong oversight, it becomes an effective tool for managing dangerous speeds and protecting people — especially as technological advancements continue. Innovation can drive safety programs forward when paired with strategy and productive partnerships. These partnerships ensure that technology is utilized effectively so programs can scale and adapt to meet each individual community’s evolving safety needs.

Communities making the most progress are those that align automated enforcement with broader Safe System principles, communicate openly and design programs that emphasize community partnership, fairness and accountability. If these trends continue, the gains reflected in NHTSA’s report will not be temporary. They can make sustained progress toward streets where everyone can travel more safely.

ABOUT VERRA MOBILITY

Verra Mobility is a global leader in smart transportation technology, dedicated to building safer streets and healthier communities. In partnership with governments, law enforcement and school districts, the company delivers turnkey road safety programs backed by compliance, expert support and public education to improve driver behavior, reduce crashes and save lives.