KENT, Wash. — The owners of vehicles caught speeding through school zones at two elementary schools will be sent traffic citations starting Monday.
The school zones are 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 one to nine 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."
Since November 18 when the warning phase started, 1,814 warning notices have been issued.
"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.
Want to talk about the news of the day? Watch free streaming video on the KIRO 7 mobile app and iPad app, and join us here on Facebook.
KIRO
