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Drivers to receive refunds in $57.5M red light settlement

Drivers will be reimbursed for a $30 administrative fee they paid on top of a traffic light ticket during 2013-2023. ©Image Credit: Unsplash / Tom Barrett

People in Suffolk County will be shocked to hear that they may be getting money back from the government. The County has settled a lawsuit requiring it to pay back $45 million regarding a $30 administration fee.

The county will reimburse drivers

The settlement comes after the long-awaited Long Island pact. Between 2013-2023, drivers were charged an administration fee of up to $36 per ticket on red-light cameras, which are no longer in use.

“This litigation began during the prior administration and has been both lengthy and complex — this settlement brings this matter to a responsible conclusion and allows the County to move forward,” said Christopher Clayton, the lawyer for the county in the class-action suit. “We are pleased to have reached a resolution that is fair to the members of the class while also protecting the interests of Suffolk County taxpayers.”

A $50 ticket that quickly ballooned in costs

From 2013-2023, Suffolk County collected a $50 fine from drivers who ran red lights. That fine quickly increased when the county slapped an additional $30 on the ticket, calling it an "administrative fee." The court has now ruled that fee illegal.

Mailers will be sent to drivers who paid the admin fee during the 10-year period in the lawsuit. That mailer will also provide instructions on how to apply for the refund.

Settlement pays out $36 per driver

The class-action lawsuit was filed in 2016, making the settlement a long time coming. Suffolk County has agreed to repay drivers $36 per ticket. This equates to $30 for the original administration fee and $6 in interest.

The settlement states the amount repaid could be less depending on "how many drivers apply for reimbursements." There is a total of $57.5 million to be repaid, and it cannot go above that total. The total gross settlement package includes $12.5M for legal and administrative fees and $45 million to settle the drivers.

A win for drivers

Sure, it's not a massive payout for individual drivers, but it's still a win in the war against ever-increasing administrative fees. Be sure to check your mailbox if you're one of the potential plaintiffs.

Sources: Newsday, New York Post

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