Report: School Zone Safety Cameras Reduce Danger

An analysis released by traffic safety camera company, American Traffic Solutions (ATS) overwhelmingly concludes that the use of automated traffic safety cameras used to identify speeding vehicles in school zones have dramatically reduced the number of violations during hours when children are present.

“Reducing speed violations means that roads are safer for kids and their families,” said Jim Tuton, President and CEO, ATS. "Washington State cities are really leading the way in road safety by ensuring that school zones are monitored for speed violations and efforts are taken to discourage reckless driving when students are present.” Tuton noted that the school zone safety cameras are only on when school is in session and children are around.

The analysis, which looked at school safety zones in Renton, Federal Way, Lake Forest Park, Bellevue, and Lynnwood, shows impressive reductions in the number of speeding violations after cameras are installed. The camera at Renton High School, the top violator was traveling at 48 mph which more than twice the speed limit in the school safety zone. A 23.4% decrease in total School Zone Speed Safety Camera violations comparing Sep 2008-May 2009 to the same time period in 2010-2011.

During the month of August 2008, more than 2200 violations were record and May 2011 there were just over 700 violations with an average speed of 28 miles per hour.

Just over 69% of those issued violations were not city of Renton citizens.

At Talbot Hill Elementary on Talbot Road South the cameras are averaging 350 violators each month. A 22.6% increase in total School Zone Speed Safety Camera violations comparing Oct 2009-May 2010 to the same time period in 2010-2011. The average speed is just over 29 miles per hour, with the top violator driving 48 miles per hour. Just over 50% of violators live within the city of Renton.

Data from McKnight Middle School was not included in this report.

Speed cameras in school zones operate when lights are flashing. 

Renton High School has a speed camera and flashing lights will operate:

Monday through Thursday 6:50 a.m. to 7:50 a.m., 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.

Friday 8:20 a.m. to 9:20 a.m., 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., and 1:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.

McKnight Middle School has a speed camera and flashing lights will operate:

Monday through Thursday 7:25 a.m. to 8:25 a.m., and 2:05 p.m. to 3:05 p.m.

Friday 8:55 a.m. to 9:55 a.m., and 2:05 p.m. to 3:05 p.m.

Talbot Hill Elementary has a speed camera and flashing lights will operate:

Monday through Thursday 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m., 11:10 a.m. til 1:30 p.m., and 3:05 to 4:05 p.m.

Friday 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m., and 3:05 p.m. to 4:05 p.m.