Traffic Cameras Approved For 2 Kirkland Schools

KIRKLAND, WA — The city of Kirkland will put traffic cameras at Rose Hill Elementary and the Kamiakin Middle and John Muir Elementary schools. Drivers who go above the 20 MPH speed limit will eventually be fined up to $250.

The camera pilot program was approved Tuesday by the City Council. The cameras will appear this fall when school starts. Drivers will only get warnings for the first 30 days, but after that, drivers who go over 25 MPH will get a $136 fine, and those who go over 30 MPH will get a graduated $250 fine. The enforcement zones will be clearly marked.

"Aside from the goal of traffic safety, the secondary goal of the project is to encourage people to use alternative modes to school (walk, bike) other than automobiles,"city spokeswoman Kellie Stickney said in a press release.

Fine revenue will pay for the camera infrastructure. Excess funds will go toward traffic safety infrastructure, Stickney said.

The city chose the Rose Hill and the John Muir/Kamiakin areas based on traffic volumes, the number of speeding incidents, and feedback from traffic police. The cameras will only be on during school hours.