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Kingston has launched a new initiative to improve safety in school zones by installing speed cameras. In the first week of operation, these cameras issued more than 2,700 warnings to drivers exceeding speed limits near John F. Kennedy Elementary School and Kingston High School. The cameras are part of a 30-day warning period that began in late March and will transition to issuing tickets in mid-April.
According to the Daily Freeman, the cameras recorded an average of 550 warnings per day. Mayor Steve Noble stated, "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.'" The cameras operate on weekdays during school hours, with speed limits set at 15 mph for elementary schools and 20 mph for high schools.
The city plans to install additional cameras at George Washington Elementary School and the high school on West O’Reilly Street. Once the warning period ends, violations will result in a $50 fine, with a $25 late fee if not paid on time. The fines will be split between the city and Jenoptik Smart Mobility Solutions, the company that installed the cameras, to support traffic safety initiatives.
Spectrum News reports that Kingston is the fourth city in New York to implement such a program, joining New York City, Syracuse, and Albany. The initiative aims to encourage safer driving habits and reduce violations over time. More information is available on the City of Kingston's website.