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Kingston drivers are receiving warnings as new speed zone cameras go live in school zones, part of a 30-day grace period before actual tickets are issued. The cameras, placed near Kingston High School and at George Washington and JFK Elementary schools, began issuing warnings last week, with an average of 345 warning violations recorded daily, according to Mid Hudson News.
Kingston is now the fourth city in New York State to deploy these cameras, joining New York City, Syracuse, and Albany. The speed limit is set at 15 miles per hour in elementary school zones and 20 miles per hour in the high school zone. The cameras operate on weekdays during school hours—7 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the elementary schools and 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. at Kingston High School—when school or related activities are in session, as reported by Spectrum News.
Mayor Steve Noble said, "We know initially we're going to see a lot of tickets, but we hope to see that revenue disappear after a little while because people will be like, 'I remember I'm entering a speed camera zone. I’m going to go 20 miles per hour.'" According to the Daily Freeman, the city will split the $50 fines 70/30 with Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions, the company behind the cameras. Funds will support the administration of the ticketing system and traffic safety initiatives.
Violators will receive fines of $50 by mail, with an added $25 late fee if not paid or appealed by the deadline. The city’s Parking Violations Bureau will handle all violations. Additional signage is being added to notify motorists about the new speed camera zones.
After the 30-day warning period ends in mid-April, the cameras will begin issuing actual tickets to speeding drivers. City officials hope the cameras will encourage safer driving near schools and reduce the number of violations over time. More details and an FAQ are available at the City of Kingston's website.