Starting Thurs., Oct. 1, traffic citations will be sent to the owners of vehicles caught speeding through the school zones at Meridian and Millennium 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, 236 warning notices were issued between Sept. 1 – 24.
“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. The 20 mph speed limit has not changed. To avoid a ticket, drivers simply need to slow down and obey the law,” Thomas said.
School zone speed safety cameras are located at the following locations:
Meridian Elementary School
25621 140th Ave. SE (on SE 256th St.)
Millennium Elementary School
11919 SE 270th St. (on 124th Ave. SE)
Neely-O’Brien Elementary School
6300 S. 236th St.
Sunrise Elementary School
22300 132nd Ave. SE
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.
