Starting Monday, traffic citations will be sent to the owners of vehicles caught speeding through the school zones at Sunrise and Neely-O’Brien elementary schools.
The registered owners of the offending vehicles will receive a $124 ticket when the speed violation is 1 to 9 miles per hour over the 20-mph school zone speed limit. If the violation speed exceeds 10 mph or more, the penalty is $248.
“Drivers need to be vigilant of their speed in school zones because children can dart into traffic and surprise a motorist at any moment,” said Kent Police Chief Ken Thomas. “Police will use the speed cameras as an enforcement tool to establish and maintain a safe environment for kids walking to and from school.”
Indicating the size of the problem, 1,814 warning notices have been issued since the warning phase began Nov. 18.
“The number of warnings issued demonstrates the daily threat children face from motorists speeding in school zones. The cameras are in place to keep kids safe. To avoid a ticket, drivers simply need to slow down and obey the law,” Thomas said.
The cameras operate during school hours when the school zone beacons are flashing. Signs are installed to alert drivers that photo enforcement cameras are in in use in the school zones ahead. Cameras capture images of license plates on those vehicles exceeding the school zone speed limit. Vehicle owners who receive a citation have access to photographs of the violation and a 12-second video of the event. Violators may request a hearing to contest the citation if they wish to do so.
The city contracts with American Traffic Solutions, Inc. to administer its safety program. The Kent Police Department reviews and approves each violation prior to issuing a citation. For more information on the School Zone Speed Safety Camera Program, visit KentWA.gov.
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