Update:  After posting this blog entry, and having further problem-solving conversations with Public Works, the issues I describe below were corrected by the addition of signage and lights on the side streets that intersect with Edmonds Ave.

There are some installation issues still impacting the speed cameras at McKnight Middle School. I’m hoping we can get these addressed before we start issuing tickets–I think so far we are still issuing warnings to drivers that exceed the 20 miles per hour limit.

I have personally seen drivers turning onto Edmonds from NE 16th, and getting their car’s picture taken by the speed camera, even when there are no children in sight AND they never passed a flashing warning light. I do not think these warnings/tickets are fair, or that the tickets will hold up in court unless we get the company that installed the cameras back to finish the job on the signage.

We have already received at least one written complaint about this situation.

The problem is while the Edmond approaches clearly link the reduced speed to the flashing lights, and make it a clear violation if a driver exceeds 20 miles per hour when the lights are flashing, the drivers approaching from 16th get no such warning and pass no flashing lights. Hence, they must go with the signage, which links the speed zone to the words “when children are present”.

The Washington Administrative Code clearly spells out what the words “when children are present” really mean:

WAC 468-95-350
When children are present.

Amend MUTCD Section 7B.11 by adding the following supplemental paragraph to the second Standard:

The supplemental or lower panel of a School Speed Limit 20 sign which reads When Children are Present shall indicate to the motorist that the 20 mile per hour school speed limit is in force under any of the following conditions:

(1) School children are occupying or walking within the marked crosswalk.

(2) School children are waiting at the curb or on the shoulder of the roadway and are about to cross the roadway by way of the marked crosswalk.

(3) School children are present or walking along the roadway, either on the adjacent sidewalk or, in the absence of sidewalks, on the shoulder within the posted school speed limit zone extending 300 feet, or other distance established by regulation, in either direction from the marked crosswalk.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 34.05 RCW and RCW 47.36.030. 03-06-053, § 468-95-350, filed 2/28/03, effective 3/31/03.]

Safe and legal drivers will abide a 30 mile per hour speed limit on Edmonds Ave NE, and then the reduced 20 MPH speed in the school zone. In this picture you can see the first indication of a school crossing in the bright yellow sign to the upper left.

This sign, for motorists heading Southbound on Edmonds Ave is pretty clear. Slow down when the lights flash, or when children are present, or you deserve the ticket you will get. No problem here.

But many people enter Edmonds Ave from NE 16th street. Here drivers from the East and West are entering Edmonds in the school zone, where they will pass the speed cameras, and none of them have passed any lights, flashing or not. They will never get a chance to see a flashing light from this approach, as the only flashing lights are on Edmonds Ave, 300 feet before the intersection with NE 16th.

Additionally, they will also not pass any signs that say that speed is photo-enforced, which looks to be out of compliance with state law which reads “All locations where a photo enforcement system is used must be clearly marked by placing signs in locations that clearly indicate to a driver that he or she is entering a zone where traffic laws are enforced by a photo enforcement system.” See the signage that they will see below.

Here is what drivers headed East on 16th will see before they enter the school zone. The sign warns them that the zone is in force when the lights flash or when children are present, but they will never pass a flashing light (even during peak school hours.) So they have to rely on the provision to watch for children being “present.”

Here is the westbound approach on NE 16th. It very clearly links the speed zone to “when children are present” but not to flashing lights at all. Even though the school may be holding summer classes, there may be no kids outdoors on the closed campus. Hapless drivers who approach the school this way on a summer day, with no children anywhere to be seen, and then turn left can get tagged for speeding in disregard of a flashing light they would have never seen.

We, the city of Renton, contracted with a private firm to install the cameras and signage, and to process the warnings and tickets. I feel this firm has a bit more work to do before we give anyone a ticket.