By: Glenn Krieger

If you’ve ever driven in New York City—or, more accurately, if you’ve ever crawled through its traffic—you know how chaotic the streets can get. Between aggressive drivers, distracted pedestrians, delivery vans double-parked like it’s a sport, and the ever-present cacophony of honking horns, it’s no surprise the city has one of the highest rates of pedestrian and cyclist injuries in the country.

But there’s a specific kind of incident that’s particularly maddening: the hit-and-run. It’s not just the act of fleeing the scene that’s infuriating—it’s the sense of helplessness it leaves behind. You’re left injured, your car is totaled, and the person responsible has vanished into the gridlock.

Now, with New York City’s controversial new congestion pricing plan set to roll out, a surprising question is emerging among legal professionals and transportation safety advocates alike: Could this policy actually help identify hit-and-run drivers more easily?

Let’s take a closer look.

The Basics of Congestion Pricing (And How It Works)

First, a quick recap. Congestion pricing is essentially a toll system designed to reduce traffic and pollution by charging drivers a fee to enter certain parts of Manhattan—specifically below 60th Street. The policy, spearheaded by the MTA, is expected to launch soon, after years of debate, lawsuits, and logistical delays.

In practical terms, drivers will need to pay a daily toll (expected to be around $15 for most passenger vehicles) to enter the congestion zone. But here’s the important part for our discussion: the system relies on extensive camera infrastructure to identify vehicles, log their entry, and enforce payments. Think overhead cameras at entry points, license plate readers, and possibly facial recognition in the future.

This isn’t just a toll booth. It’s a digital surveillance net.

More Cameras = More Accountability?

From a legal and investigatory standpoint, more cameras are almost always good news when trying to solve traffic crimes. In hit-and-run cases, one of the biggest obstacles for victims and their attorneys is simply identifying the driver.

Eyewitnesses are often unreliable. Dash cams aren’t always rolling. Police resources are stretched thin. And in a city where everyone’s trying to get somewhere fast, tracking down a fleeing vehicle can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.

But what if that haystack had cameras monitoring nearly every entrance and exit point?

Let’s say a driver hits a cyclist in SoHo, then flees uptown to avoid getting caught. If that vehicle crossed into or out of the congestion pricing zone, it’s likely there’s a digital record of that exact moment—time-stamped and linked to a license plate. That’s a huge leg up in piecing together the timeline and ultimately finding the culprit.

And from there, a New York City car accident lawyer could subpoena that footage or data as part of a civil suit or coordinate with law enforcement in a criminal investigation.

Will It Actually Help Hit-and-Run Victims?

To be fair, congestion pricing wasn’t designed with hit-and-runs in mind. It’s a traffic reduction strategy, not a public safety tool. But like many technological systems, its side effects may end up being just as impactful as its intended goals.

That said, this isn’t a silver bullet.

For one, the cameras are focused on major arteries and congestion zone entry points—not every side street, intersection, or back alley where many collisions occur. A driver could still hit someone within the zone and take a route that avoids camera detection, especially if they’re familiar with the area.

Second, some drivers will undoubtedly try to game the system. Fake plates, obscured tags, stolen vehicles—these are not unheard-of tactics in NYC, especially among those already willing to commit a hit-and-run.

But overall? It’s a step in the right direction. It’s another piece of the puzzle, especially when combined with existing surveillance footage, witness reports, and dash cam data. For victims seeking compensation for a hit-and-run, anything that improves the chances of finding the responsible party is a welcome addition.

Legal Ramifications and Increased Risk for Drivers

If the congestion pricing system does lead to better tracking and identification, that has serious legal consequences for would-be offenders.

Under New York law, fleeing the scene of an accident that results in injury or death is a felony. Drivers found guilty can face severe penalties—including prison time. In other words, yes, you can absolutely go to jail for a hit-and-run in New York.

The prospect of more reliable tracking could serve as a deterrent, especially for drivers who might otherwise have thought they could get away undetected. And if caught, their digital trail could make for a compelling case in both criminal and civil court.

What This Means for Lawsuits

From a civil litigation perspective, anything that increases the odds of identifying a hit-and-run driver strengthens the plaintiff’s case. That has a direct impact on the chances of winning a lawsuit in New York, especially when it comes to recovering damages for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.

Evidence is everything. And congestion pricing cameras may soon become an unexpected source of critical evidence.

So… Does It Help?

In short: Yes, but with caveats.

Congestion pricing wasn’t built to solve hit-and-runs—but it might help anyway. By creating a denser network of surveillance and digital tracking in one of the most chaotic driving environments in the country, the system increases the odds that someone fleeing the scene of an accident will leave a digital fingerprint behind.

For New Yorkers navigating the aftermath of a collision, that could be the difference between a dead-end and a courtroom victory.

And for legal professionals? It’s just one more example of how evolving city infrastructure is changing the game—not just for drivers, but for justice.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal advice. Readers are encouraged to consult with a qualified attorney for advice tailored to their situation regarding traffic incidents and legal recourse.