School zone cameras go into operation on first day of school, Sept. 2

Vehicles exceeding the speed limit through the school zones will be photographed, and those images will be reviewed by Renton Police to determine if a citation is warranted.

August 27, 2014 7:42 pm

Renton schools are back in session on Tuesday Sept. 2 and the photo enforcement program is “going back to school” as well.

Signs are installed at the listed schools to alert drivers that cameras are in use. Vehicles exceeding the speed limit through the school zones will be photographed, and those images will be reviewed by Renton Police to determine if a citation is warranted. The cameras will operate during the listed hours, when the school beacons are flashing.

The difference between 20 mph and 26 mph is 26 feet of stopping distance, according to police. With children walking in the area, those 26 feet could mean the difference between life and death.

“Keeping school children safe while walking to their destination is our priority,” said Chief Kevin Milosevich in a press release. “Please help us protect Renton’s pedestrians by adhering to posted speed limits.”

The cameras will be active at the following times and locations:

McKnight Middle School

Monday through Thursday 7:25 to 8:25 a.m. and 2:05 to 3:05 p.m.

Friday late start times; 8:55 to 9:55 a.m. and 2:05 to 3:05 p.m.

Talbot Hill Elementary

Monday through Thursday 8:25 to 9:25 a.m. and 3:05 to 4:05 p.m.

Friday late start times; 9:55 to 10:55 a.m. and 3:05 to 4:05 p.m.

Honey Dew Elementary

Monday through Thursday 8 to 9 a.m. and 2:40 to 3:40 p.m.

Friday late start times; 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 2:40 to 3:40 p.m.

Benson Hill Elementary

Monday through Thursday 8 to 9 a.m. and 2:40 to 3:40 p.m.

Friday late start times; 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 2:40 to 3:40 p.m.

Cascade Elementary

Monday through Thursday 8 to 9 a.m. and 2:40 to 3:40 p.m.

Friday late start times; 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 2:40 to 3:40 p.m.

Renton’s photo enforcement program also includes red-light safety cameras at four intersections:

• NE 3rd St at Sunset Blvd North

• Sunset Blvd North at Bronson Way

• East Valley Hwy at S 43rd St

• Benson Road South intersection with Petrovisky RD/SE176th St at SE Carr Rd.

For more information on the city of Renton’s Photo Enforcement programs, which launched its first red-light safety camera in May 2008 and became the first city in Washington to use school zone speed cameras, visit: http://rentonwa.gov/government/default.aspx?id=16204.