Seattle Considers Expanding Traffic Camera Network
Seattle City Councilmember Rob Saka has introduced a bill to expand the use of traffic safety cameras throughout the city. The proposal is part of the council's increased focus on public safety. The expansion is intended to improve road safety and enhance traffic enforcement in specific areas.
- The Seattle City Council unanimously approved the expansion legislation with an 8-0 vote; it now awaits Mayor Bruce Harrell's signature to become law. - Revenue generated from the new cameras will be allocated with 70% going to the city's General Fund. Of the remaining 30%, at least 15% is earmarked for the construction and repair of sidewalks. - The Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) is considering several key locations for the new cameras, including corridors like Alki Avenue SW, Harbor Avenue SW, West Marginal Way SW, and Martin Luther King Jr Way S, partly to address issues with street racing. - This expansion builds on a program that has been in place since 2006. As of spring 2025, Seattle already operated cameras at 23 intersections for red light violations, in 19 school speed zones, along 6 bus lanes, and at 6 intersections to prevent blocking of crosswalks. - Existing cameras have proven effective, with the city reporting a 71% drop in collisions in areas with active school zone cameras and a 50% reduction in fatal collisions at intersections with red-light cameras. - In addition to this broader expansion, a separate plan is already in motion to double the number of school zone safety cameras by adding 37 new cameras at 19 more schools. - The legislation includes new privacy and notification requirements and restricts the public disclosure of data collected by the cameras. - Fines from the new cameras are capped at $145, but violations within designated school zones can cost the driver up to $290.
