Saying that speeding drivers during school zone hours outside Olympic View Elementary School are among the fifth worst in the city, the Maple Leaf Community Council emails that the city intends to install a radar-operated camera to catch speeders along Fifth Avenue Northeast.
These units are like the automatic red light cameras, but focused on speeders. Those caught speeding will receive citations in the mail.
The radar cameras will be placed between the flashing “School Zone” lights. They should be installed, barring construction problems, in August or early September to be operational when the school year begins.
Olympic View is at 504 N.E. 95 St, between Fifth and Eighth avenues northeast. The statistics on speeding in a school zone came from the Seattle Department of Transportation, the community council says.
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12 reader comments so far ↓
1 Another David // Aug 17, 2012 at 10:58 am
Not a fan. Automated tickets come way too late to address behavior. Station a cop there, then you’ll see speeds go down, *and* tickets that can result in some serious bite (insurance hikes, etc).
2 David Miller // Aug 17, 2012 at 12:03 pm
Personally speaking, I agree.
The data generated by the camera van system don’t show reduced speeds — but the van was out of operations so often they couldn’t get a pattern. This is a permanent installation, so maybe it will be different — and the big warning signs might also help.
Because we are short officers due to budget cuts, we’re just not going to get an officer there often enough to make a difference. This is the best bet for now. Crossed fingers it works.
David
3 Elzwhere Nutduster // Aug 17, 2012 at 2:43 pm
Buy me some paintball ammo, I’ll slow them down!
4 Tim McB // Aug 17, 2012 at 2:53 pm
Does anyone know if these speeding cameras are “active” only during school hours or on 24/7?
5 Air // Aug 18, 2012 at 9:53 am
Yep something like this is only a way to get money, not a real way to change behavior. This is garbage.
6 anotherEric // Aug 19, 2012 at 12:00 pm
Money grab under the guise of “safety”.
7 Sue // Aug 19, 2012 at 3:13 pm
I’m wondering if there have been any accidents in this location. My kids went to school at OV and they had crossing guards and a stop light at the crucial intersection. The topography is such that you are directed to the safe crossing with no reason to jaywalk.
Hate automated ticketing myself. Just thinking it is better to look at the big picture here.
8 An Observer // Aug 23, 2012 at 12:08 pm
A money grab. Business and government allied against the citizenry to extract money.
They try to make the pill easier to swallow by not adding it to your driving abstract, so it won’t affect your insurance premium. If it isn’t a real ticket, then it is a fishy transfer of funds from your wallet to the government.
If it looks like a fish, swims like a fish and stinks like a fish…
9 Dan // Aug 29, 2012 at 11:20 am
I hate the automated cameras and ticketing, the increasing automated surveillance of our lives feels like a big over step of government and is right of of Orwell’s 1984. Put in speed bumps or better signage. 5th is a busy street and many don’t even realize there is a school there because it’s set back and really only the basketball/playground is near it.
10 Dawn // Sep 2, 2012 at 2:38 pm
I’m all for the automated camera for speeders 24/7. This is my neighborhood and we walk a four mile radius daily and its amazing how many people disregard the 30 mph arterial and 25 mph residential speed limits. I cant tell you how many close calls I’ve had as a pedestrian, how many close calls I’ve witness and just the other day, a car was tailgating my 30 mph speed limit observation so closely, my back up sensor was going off. In fact, I think they should have those razor strips enbedded into the streets that are speed radar tripped. If you exceed the speed limit they are released an you can deal with the shredded tires and a ticket to boot.
11 Lawrence // Sep 2, 2012 at 11:22 pm
TOTAL SCAM.
Are they going to have large signs notifying drivers of cameras if not then it’s money grab.
Hey Dawn,
Your car has to be in reverse for the back up sensors to be activated. Either your car is broken or you are a liar.
12 Robert // Sep 3, 2012 at 9:42 am
It wouldn’t hurt me if it was a 24/7 setup. People are doing 50 in the school zone, know it, and don’t care. This is our neighborhood not a shortcut speedway. If your too self centered and in a hurry to speed you deserve a ticket.
The mayor said the other day cars kill more young people than anything else.