Tukwila Police are warning residents that they are nearing the end of the one-month warning period for the city’s automated photo enforcement program aimed at curbing speeding in the school zones around Showalter and Foster High School.
Police say that, beginning Oct. 1, 2021, violators will begin receiving fee-based citations rather than written warnings.
Officials add that they have been averaging about 70 violations per day over the past month since the cameras were activated Sept. 1.
“Please watch your speeds and stay alert when traversing through school zones during school hours,” police added.
Here’s more from Tukwila P.D.:
“Every year, Tukwila officers respond to multiple avoidable collisions caused by speeding in our city. A pedestrian hit at 20mph has a 90 percent chance of survival which falls to 50 percent at 30mph and 10 percent survival rate at 40mph. To keep our youth safe, the City of Tukwila is implementing an Automated School Zone Speed Enforcement Program.
“Photo enforcement of the school zone speed limit is just one approach to addressing this problem on Tukwila streets and to keep our students and school staff members safe. Driving at or below 20 MPH gives people driving and children walking more time to see each other and react. The goal is to improve safety for everyone.
“In September of 2021, the City of Tukwila will begin using fixed cameras to enforce the 20 MPH school zone speed limit at Showalter Middle School and Foster High School. Warnings will be issued for the month of September as drivers get use to the new cameras. Beginning October 1, 2021, warnings will stop and citations will be issued.
“The speed cameras only operate when the school zone flashing beacons are in operation during normal school hours in which students and staff will be coming and going from the area. If the flashing beacon is activated, then the cameras are operating.”
