KENMORE, Wash. — Kenmore will soon be expanding its speed camera program, targeting drivers near schools and raising the fines for violations.
At the request of the city's traffic engineer, city council voted 5-1 in favor of the changes to the program that was launched in the spring of 2023.
As part of the plan, a new camera will be placed near Inglemoor High School. The city currently operates cameras near Arrowhead and Kenmore elementaries, as well as a red light camera at the intersection of 61st Street and Bothell Way.
Under the new plan, speeding drivers in school zones can also be fined for driving over the regular speed limit. Since the start of the program, drivers only faced tickets for speeding during designated school zone hours.
"I'm all for the cameras, especially during school hours," said Amy Paine, who lives near Kenmore Elementary School. "We see people bombing down the street all the time, and it's really dangerous."
Councilmembers also approved adjusting the fines for violations.
Drivers currently face a $100 fine for red light, speeding and school zone speed violations. That baseline climbs to $110 in 2025 and $135 in 2029, the final year of the current five year, $1.8 million dollar project.
"We see the fastest speeds a little ways away from the camera, so I think they do make a difference," Paine said.
According to a study released after the first year of the city's initial program, schools zone speeding was reduced by about 90%.
Motorists who are caught driving at least six miles per hour over the regular speed limit inside a school zone face up to a $250 fine, a number that will hold steady for the duration of the program.
"I have received some concerns or uncomfortability from folks in the community but I think there's going to be period of acclimation and getting used to it," said councilmember Nathan Loutsis, before voicing his confidence in the program.
The city is not allowed to record video, and still images must not reveal the identity of drivers and/or passengers, only the license plate area.
Some of the above changes were required to comply with recently modified state laws.