Metro

Pol sees red over lights

ALBANY — A Bronx Democrat who suspects the city is just trying to make money off traffic fines is out to stop traffic lights from switching from green to red faster than usual.

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz introduced legislation this week to prohibit traffic lights with red-light cameras from being calibrated to change earlier than regular traffic signals.

He cited a AAA of New York study — first reported by The Post — that found a 15 percent shorter change time at lights with cameras.

“If the yellow lights at such intersections are even a millisecond shorter than at intersections without cameras — in order to raise revenue — that would be a disgrace,” Dinowitz said.

“Either city officials can correct this problem themselves or this legislation will correct it for them.”

But City Hall is opposing “this unnecessary legislation,” said spokesman Mark Botnick.

“All yellow lights at intersections with red-light cameras are timed exactly the same way as other signals at other intersections and consistent with federal guidelines,” he insisted.

And Mayor Bloomberg recently dismissed the AAA study, saying, “Maybe if you think there’s less time, you won’t try to [run red lights]. I’m not sure why we give you any time at all. Running red lights kills people.”