The Spokane Valley City Council is considering the implementation of an automated school zone speed enforcement program aimed at enhancing safety for students and reducing speeding in school zones. During a recent meeting, city officials provided an update on their research into the program, which was initially discussed in a winter workshop.

Traffic Engineering Manager Jerry Clark presented findings from various jurisdictions that have successfully implemented similar programs. He highlighted a concerning rise in speeding and speed-related fatalities in Spokane Valley since 2020, emphasizing the need for effective measures to address this issue. The proposed speed safety cameras would serve to penalize speeding drivers, thereby encouraging compliance with speed limits, particularly in school zones.

The program is expected to generate revenue through citations, which would be used to fund traffic safety projects and cover the operational costs of the camera systems. Clark noted that the Washington State Legislature has established guidelines for how these funds can be utilized, ensuring they are directed towards improving safety for vulnerable road users.

Privacy concerns were also addressed, with assurances that the cameras would only capture images related to speeding violations. Any identifying information would be discarded, and the data collected would be strictly controlled by the city.

The council discussed the necessary steps to implement the program, including adopting an ordinance and contracting with equipment vendors. The timeline for launching the program could take approximately six months from the adoption of the ordinance to the initiation of the system.

In addition to the primary focus on speed enforcement, the meeting touched on the potential for significant reductions in speeding violations based on data from other jurisdictions. For instance, cities like Kirkland and Chicago reported substantial decreases in repeat offenses and overall citations after implementing similar programs.

As Spokane Valley moves forward with this initiative, the council aims to enhance safety for students and the broader community while addressing the pressing issue of speeding in school zones. The next steps will involve further discussions and decisions on the program's implementation, with the goal of fostering a safer environment for all residents.