The city has been working to tighten up the timing of the school zone speed enforcement cameras. As of now, the mayor does not expect to operate any of the cameras even during summer school this year. This should reduce confusion on the part of motorists. This will please many people, and I think it is a good decision.
But now the disclaimers and reminders: Don’t forget that everyone is still expected to adhere to the 20 mile per hour speed limit when children are present (on the sidewalk, in the street, or near the street/sidewalk) regardless of whether the lights are flashing. Furthermore, the mayor’s email says they are not PLANNING to use the camera, but it is potentially subject to change. Finally, there could be flashing lights around other schools, where there are no cameras. These are still enforceable by the police. So note the lights when you pass by the schools.
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Here is a recent email from the mayor about summer speed camera plans:
From: Denis Law
Sent: Tuesday, June 22, 2010 8:07 AM
To: Council
Cc: Jay B Covington
Subject: School zone photo enforcement
FYI – In case you receive any inquiries:
We are not planning to operate our photo enforcement cameras in the school zones this summer. In addition to the confusion to motorists who are not aware of summer school classes, there are many classes that have been canceled due to budget cuts. We have decided not to operate the cameras in these zones until classes resume in the fall.
Mayor, City of Renton
1055 S. Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057
425 430-6500
rentonwa.gov
Does this mean that if a single kid is walking down the street by the high school at 7:30 pm you need to slow down to 20 mph?
What if they are walking on the other side of the “school zone” sign boundary?
What if they are walking on the other side of the “school zone” sign boundary, but walking TOWARDS the sign and are likely to enter the school zone 5 secs before you leave the school zone on the opposite end?
What if they suddenly walk faster?
Why don’t we drive 20 mph wherever kids are present? What if they are walking along the freeway shoulder?
I am not trying to be obnoxious, but you can see how there is a decided lack of clarity. I mean why does it make sense to have a “School Zone” speed limit which only applies occasionally, but can apply even at midnight on Christmas Eve? If that is the case, why not simply make it 20 mph, period at all times on all days.
Take care,
http://www.seattlepi.com/sound/422000_sound96580394.html
Looks like for safety’s sake you need to drive faster when you’re near Lindburgh.
Unless you like getting shot in the head.
Crud… there goes my plan to put a photocopy of Rich Zwicker’s license plate on top of my car’s plates and go zipping around the school district.
Darn You RentonBen!!!
Yes RentonBen, your plan has been foiled. Now, at least for the summer, my neighbors won’t find me standing on my porch, open envelope in hand, shouting “Darn You RentonBen” across the one thin, and poorly armored, block that separates me, Martha and my cats, from the ranting, stalking and general oddity that can only be supplied by RentonBen.
I kid! I kid! I love RentonBen! Right? You believe that, don’t you RentonBen?
– Rich.
Re: Darn You RentonBen!!!
Ok… I’ll promise to leave you alone as long as keep a lid on the polka dancing in the street.
You and your good wife look good in lederhosen, but the cats sure didn’t.
It’s All About The Money
Again what is the “take” split the City has with Camera Co?
Re: It’s All About The Money
I will say that both lights a the start of Maple Valley and the light at the start of 167 have gotten a lot more civilized after the cameras were installed.
The school speed cameras seem to be a bit too arbitrary.
how about you make the school zone compliant to state law first?
http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=46.63.170
section h (all locations)
i know you have recieved the email in regards to this
since the city interprets state law different than what was written by lawmakers.
and red light/speed cameras should be put to a vote unless you don’t believe the people should be listened too?
Let’s be consistent
Forget the speed cameras. Lower the speed limit in all school zones from 20 to 15 MPH 24 x 7 x 365. Then, never enforce the law, just like on the Cedar River Trail.
Everybody will feel so good about the positive, caring approach that enforcement will never be needed.
If any kids get killed, we can all act so surprised and wonder how such a horrible thing could have happened in such a nice, caring town.
Speed cameras are about money. Choosing not to enforce the trail speed limit is about being OK with somebody dying so the City can save a few bucks. Ban the Cycle-Nazi’s from the trail or act like adults and enforce the law everywhere on everyone, not just where it is easy and profitable.
Randy – The City does not show the locations of the school cameras on their web page, and they should be mapped just like they are for the others:
http://rentonwa.gov/government/default.aspx?id=16200
I was driving around town the other day, and was quite surprised when I ran into one (OK…well through it…oh, you know). It was a nice sunny day, there were no kids around, but I think the light was flashing and luckily the slower car in front of me probably kept me out of trouble.
After that experience, and the bad press for those unreasonably nailed by the high school, I have to admit I do not drive around Renton exploring like I used to, and I tend to stay away from downtown which seems ringed with the cameras. It’s just not worth it if I’m forgetfully off by a few MPH on an otherwise nice safe sunny day where there are no kids or cars in the vicinity.
I have mixed feelings about the cameras, and for me the solution is to raise the threshold MPH on the speeding cameras so that flagrant violators are punished, but those honest ones who are close are given credit for trying and for good judgment. Same for the people turning right on red lights – if it’s safe, don’t nitpick if they don’t do the full stop for 3 seconds or whatever. For those running straight through red lights – go get ’em!