New ‘photo enforced’ sign – and this one’s real

Thanks to Heather for sending the photo of that new sign on Fauntleroy Way SW near Fairmount Park Elementary. Given the saga of the fake Arbor Heights sign, we checked with SDOT about this one. It’s real, confirms SDOT‘s Dawn Schellenberg:

SPD requested we install the signs so they can use their speed van at this location.

(Same thing as 35th SW near Our Lady of Guadalupe.) “Speed van” enforcement has been in use since 2008, pre-dating fixed school-zone speed-enforcement cameras. This year’s budget calls for more of those, so we asked where that process is at:

No new speed cameras have been installed . I understand we’ll be reviewing field evaluations and surveys at new potential camera sites in the next coming months to select locations where we’ll move forward on design and installation of speed cameras. We should have our locations selected this spring and are on target for the cameras being installed for Fall 2020.

Here’s the full citywide list of current fixed cameras, including the three in West Seattle.

60 Replies to "New 'photo enforced' sign - and this one's real"

  • Airwolf February 19, 2020 (11:51 am)

    Speed Cameras on the bridge would help fund ST3. Now that car tabs may be $30…how are speeding ticket proceeds used?

    • WSB February 19, 2020 (12:39 pm)

      Only places they’re authorized, by state law, is school zones.

      • WR February 19, 2020 (1:26 pm)

        Thank goodness for that!

        • Ice February 19, 2020 (2:10 pm)

          Thank goodness we can continue to risk the lives of others and ourselves with impunity!

      • Daryl Greaser February 19, 2020 (5:32 pm)

        for speeding only, right? Lake Forest Park has enforcement cameras for red light violations… ask me how I know! ;) 

        • WSB February 19, 2020 (5:37 pm)

          Red-light cameras are different. There are some in the city – two in West Seattle (35th/Thistle and 35th/Avalon).

          • Joe February 19, 2020 (6:19 pm)

            Sure looks like a red light cam at Morgan/California. And there’s a speed cam on Fauntleroy by Gatewood elementary. Source: my ticket.

          • WSB February 19, 2020 (6:55 pm)

            I mentioned above, there are three speed cams in WS, and linked the list. As for red light, no, Thistle/35th and 35th/Avalon are the only ones in WS. We covered the installation of both. Full citywide list is on the right sidebar: https://www.seattle.gov/police/community-policing/red-light-cameras

          • Joe February 20, 2020 (6:04 pm)

            Then what is that camera on a pole above the lights at Morgan/California? The Russians?

          • miws February 20, 2020 (6:27 pm)

            Joe, SDOT Traffic cam? Like the one in the Junction? —Mike

          • WSB February 20, 2020 (6:42 pm)

            It’s a city camera. Not a red-light camera – as with the only 2 in West Seattle, 35th/Thistle and Avalon/35th, those are installed on the side of the road, among other differences. (Here’s a video from ATS, the vendor, explaining red-light cams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XoTvbqsT68 )

          • Joe February 21, 2020 (7:04 am)

            Oooooooooohhhh – thank you!

  • john February 19, 2020 (11:53 am)

    That one will be popular for the ferry commuters.

  • Tsurly February 19, 2020 (12:40 pm)

    The war on cars continues.

    • CEB February 19, 2020 (2:06 pm)

      This is not a war on cars. This is a school zone where young children (usually accompanied by their parents) are walking to school, across a very busy road in unmarked cross walks, at the same times of day when drivers are speeding to/from the ferry. The 20 mph speed limit should absolutely be enforced during those hours. I’d be glad to also see speed enforcement along this stretch of Fauntleroy at all hours of the day, where drivers regularly (and significantly) exceed the 30 mph speed limit.

      • Boltsandnuts February 19, 2020 (5:25 pm)

        The one in front of OLG is a money grab. Never see kids on  35th, they all get dropped off behind on 34th yet this was the first one to appear in WS

        • KM February 19, 2020 (5:40 pm)

          The other 3 roads around the OLG (and West Seattle Elementary) are already 20 mph at all times and have traffic calming measures, 35th Ave SW does not. Maybe you don’t see kids on 35th Ave SW because people don’t feel safe walking/parking there due to unsafe drivers. It’s the only part of the school zone that’s not already 20 mph and has safety issues. It’s the perfect place for a speed camera.

        • David February 19, 2020 (6:24 pm)

          Not true. I frequently see kids who are headed to OLG cossing at 35th and Myrtle while I’m waiting for the 21x.

        • zark00 February 20, 2020 (9:53 am)

          @boltsandnuts – that is a total lie – I see kids every morning while waiting for the bus.  Why lie about it?  What’s it gain you to make stuff up that encourages people to flout school speed zones? 

    • AMD February 19, 2020 (4:06 pm)

      How is it a war on cars?  Buses, bikes, and pedestrians in the road also have to follow that speed limit.  Your hyperbole is not helpful.

    • PBinHP February 19, 2020 (4:16 pm)

      Tsurly: Cars don’t speed. People speed. 

      • Tsurly February 19, 2020 (9:12 pm)

        Anyone who is familiar with my posts on this blog knows that my statement above is absolute sarcasm. You will find no bigger cheerleader of holding drivers accountable than me.

        • hj February 20, 2020 (3:28 pm)

          I have no idea who you are. It looks like you just wanted to troll the many people who also don’t know who you are.

          • Tsurly February 20, 2020 (7:51 pm)

            Precisely, mostly because it gets so old listening to people on here constantly complain about the self inflicted woes of driving.

  • YouDontGnomeMe February 19, 2020 (12:58 pm)

    Hope this catches some folks. I was driving past this park the other night, and the car in front of me decided to use the turn lane as a passing lane. Apparently doing the 30 mph limit was too slow for this person as they sped past the car in front of them along the playground. 

  • dsa February 19, 2020 (1:53 pm)

    Does anyone know what ““Speed van” enforcement ” means?

    • WSB February 19, 2020 (3:01 pm)

      Follow the link. It’s a van with a speed camera.

    • dsa February 19, 2020 (3:22 pm)

      I see, “since 2008” was hyperlinked.  I would have clicked earlier if “speed van” had been linked.

      • Wendell February 19, 2020 (3:59 pm)

        It seems like you have enough time on your hands to figure that one out.

  • FredF February 19, 2020 (2:51 pm)

    And motorhomes too tsurly.

  • Yma February 19, 2020 (2:51 pm)

    Well – it would also be nice if caregivers picking up school kids from that playground didn’t run across the middle of the street.

  • My two cents ... February 19, 2020 (3:11 pm)

    More reinforcement on the reduced neighborhood speed limits. If it is posted, don’t have that much of a issue with the photo capability.

  • DumplingGirl February 19, 2020 (4:01 pm)

    I think I’ve seen speed zone/camera enforced signs by the new crosswalk light at 35th and Dawson. Is that something different? It’s not by a school and it’s not on the list you linked to here.

    • WSB February 19, 2020 (6:58 pm)

      The only fixed enforcement cameras in West Seattle are the three school cams (Holy Family, Gatewood Elem., STEM K-8).

    • jason February 21, 2020 (12:34 pm)

      There has been a “Camera Enforced” sign on 35th by Dawson for years. However…there are clearly no cameras there.

  • Joe February 19, 2020 (4:16 pm)

    We could really use a crosswalk at Brandon St.  Do we know if the photo enforcement only applies when the lights are flashing (20mph) or all the time?

  • Shawn February 19, 2020 (4:17 pm)

    More enforcement cameras! Obviously school zones, but also need the law to change so we can get bus lanes, bike lanes, and failure to yield to busses enforced too. My main concern about cameras is that tickets need to be double checked by a human before they go out, and the appeal process needs to be clear. 

    • KM February 19, 2020 (8:14 pm)

      Shawn, the WA State Senate just passed a bill yesterday to allow for cameras in intersection where blocking the box is a problem. It’s a good start, but now the House has to pass it next. Cody and our Fitzgibbons are likely a vote for it, but be sure to let them know!

  • ALKIbum February 19, 2020 (4:53 pm)

    Do you watch kids crossing or look closely at your speedometer? Or back and forth, mostly likely?

    • Atcamplong February 20, 2020 (7:49 am)

      I don’t pay attention to the kids.  I’m too busy looking at my speedometer and all the signs.  

      • AMD February 20, 2020 (8:42 am)

        If you can’t track your speed and keep your focus on the road and potential hazards at the same time, you should consider finding another method of transportation.  No snark.  Genuine advice.

      • Tsurly February 20, 2020 (9:31 am)

        And your cellphone

      • zark00 February 20, 2020 (9:55 am)

        Wow you must be a terrible driver.

  • Mike February 19, 2020 (5:13 pm)

    The basic, blunt truth remains :  if you don’t want a citation, don’t speed.  Pretty simple.  

  • Alki February 19, 2020 (7:47 pm)

    Alternative Headline: Taking a cue from communist China the city installs more cameras to criminalize everyday life (and profit from it). 

    • heartless February 19, 2020 (8:46 pm)

      I can’t believe they’re going to CRIMINALIZE speeding!  What other crimes might they criminalize next?!?

      ps
      I loved your post so much I just sat and stared at it for a long while, feeling the crazy just emanating from it–powerful stuff, that level of crazy!

      • Tsurly February 20, 2020 (9:36 am)

        Yep, all from a “law and order” conservative.

    • zark00 February 20, 2020 (9:59 am)

      Wow. Rarely do you read a comment so abjectly inhuman as this on WSB.  Alki would apparently prefer children die to losing 30 seconds of commute time.  and COMMUNISM derp! – I agree, a savage level of crazy wafting of of Alki.

  • john February 20, 2020 (12:25 pm)

    Interestingly, the primary causes of School Zone student accidents are not speeding.  The rates of pedestrian school zone accidents have been in general decline for the last 20 years, but there has been one recent up-tick ascribed to student behavior.  Studies show that student behavior appears a primary factor.  This includes two recent activities heretofore non existent that lead to accidents.  They are electronic devices – ear pods/ head phones and smart phones.  Kids are just not paying attention to crossing safety because they are engaged in electronics.Lowering and enforcing  the speed limit will lessen the extent of some damages, but will not eliminate unsafe behavior on the part of pedestrians. 

    • Ice February 20, 2020 (11:30 pm)

      Evidence please

      • john February 21, 2020 (12:07 pm)

        Evidence Yes at the non profit; alarming_dangers_in_school_zones.pdf

        • Ice February 22, 2020 (1:19 pm)

          Thanks
          for providing your backing evidence here. I really respect and
          appreciate your willingness to converse on this topic. However, you
          wrote “Interestingly, the primary causes of School Zone
          student accidents are not speeding
          .” This is a deceptive
          mischaracterization of both the data and what this non-profit is
          recommending. The article says quite clearly the problem is BOTH, as
          when you factor in severity of the accident, speeding becomes a huge
          issue and factor. Quoting from the article “…school zone speed limits of
          20 mph or less were present in only 33 and 38 percent of middle and
          high schools, respectively. This is of great concern because higher
          vehicle speed is related to increased risk for severe pedestrian
          injury or death, particularly for children
          .” You then go on to
          say “Lowering and enforcing  the speed limit will lessen
          the extent of some damages
          [I.E. CHANCES OF DEATH VS INJURY], but will not eliminate unsafe behavior on
          the part of pedestrians,
          ” which again, is a bit of a
          mischaracterization of what this non-profit is recommending. One of
          Safe Kids’ listed ‘best practices’ is ‘Speed and red-light
          cameras.’ More, in the advocacy section of this article, the two headers
          are literally “Slowing Down Traffic” and “Safe Routes
          to School,” two things that have nothing to do with individual pedestrian
          behavior. On top of that, all of the non-traditional interventions that
          were tried, such as cellphone-bans and writing ‘Heads Up, Phones
          Down’ on the sidewalk had counter-intuitive, and not particularly
          good results. So yeah, distracted walking and driving is clearly a
          problem, no argument there. However, don’t downplay speed limits and well-designed streets in keeping kids safe, since those are actually
          effective proven strategies. To paraphrase you, saying something like “well those solutions aren’t 100%
          effective, many times it’s the pedestrian at fault
          !” offers no
          actual solutions or useful criticism, and greatly downplays the
          effect that these real, timetested interventions can have.

    • Steve February 20, 2020 (11:38 pm)

      Nice victim blaming. The children are asking for it! As if kids with headphones have equal (or more, in your view) responsibility as adults with 5000 pound monster trucks. How do you explain it when a driver crashes their car into a building? Was the building looking at its phone? Do yourself some reading on media victim blaming and pedestrian deaths.

      • john February 21, 2020 (12:40 pm)

        Citing statistics should not equate with victim blaming.  Kids suffering the uptick in collisions near schools after a 20 year overall decline is a statistic.  So is the statistic of the increase in accidents at schools related to kids behavior changes including electronic devices that isolate them.  The same is with drivers.  The difference being drivers are required to pass a test and receive a license and the information that cell phone use while driving is illegal (before texting while driving their 5,000 lb SUV into a building).Contrast this with kids with no such requirements before running out between parked cars mid block or mindlessly focussed on a phone screen oblivious to the risk of their behavior.Bringing the kids into the discussion is certainly valid for anyone wanting to reduce school area pedestrian incidents.alarming_dangers_in_school_zones.pdf

        • Steve February 21, 2020 (8:40 pm)

          If licensing and educating adults can’t stop drivers from killing people with their cars, do you think education is going to help children learn not to be killed by drivers? How about we prioritize safety of children over the ability of drivers to go lethal speeds by re-engineering the roads. 

      • Read? February 21, 2020 (2:36 pm)

        Did you read the research provided? It certainly isn’t victim blaming, but it certainly opens the discussion to more than just a traffic camera being a solution for safer school zones. 

  • waikikigirl February 20, 2020 (4:23 pm)

    Don’t get me wrong I have had my fair share of speeding tickets and it seems like it is always the Friday before my vacation… :>/ but anyways today leaving work had to go to the Vet and driving on W.Marginal Way SW speed limit is 40 to which I was going and cars were passing me like they were at the Indy 500  then going home from the Vet on 35th again Indy 500… what is wrong with people why are they in such a hurry?! If you’re running that late WHY DIDN’T YOU LEAVE LIKE 10 MINUTES EARLIER!

  • Reader February 21, 2020 (3:13 pm)

    SPD school zone enforcement action was written up in Seattle Times a while back. 75% of tickets written were to PARENTS dropping off of picking up their kids.

  • Karen February 21, 2020 (3:16 pm)

    They also have those cameras on school buses now and if you don’t stop you will get a ticket mailed to you.

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