School Zone Safety Camera Pilot Program

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Making School Zones and Streets Safer for Everyone.

Each school day in Woodinville, hundreds of children travel to class by foot, bike, or car. Even small mistakes behind the wheel can lead to serious consequences.

To improve safety and reflect our community’s values, the City is launching a School Zone Safety Camera Pilot Program. The City will use automated cameras to deter speeding, not punish, by encouraging safer driving in school zones. The school zone safety cameras will be located along NE 195th Street.

The program prioritizes privacy, fairness, and equity and is part of a larger vision to create livable, walkable neighborhoods and complement traditional traffic calming strategies. The program is grounded in data, public input, and a shared desire to prevent crashes before they happen.


Why the Pilot Program?

Proven Tools for Safer Streets & Schools: A 2018 study by the University of Washington and Drexel University found that the introduction of school zone safety cameras resulted in a nearly 50% drop in speeding violations, with long-term behavioral improvements sustained into the second year of implementation.

Unlike traditional enforcement methods, school zone safety cameras provide consistent, location-specific deterrence. Visible signage and predictable enforcement during school arrivals and dismissals help reinforce safe driving habits when it matters most. In cities across Washington, automated enforcement has saved lives, reduced crashes, and helped reshape public norms around safe driving. With careful implementation, we can do the same in Woodinville.


Protecting Woodinville. Preventing Crashes.

In early 2025, the City's consultant conducted a traffic safety and equity analysis across multiple school zones. The study identified NE 195th Street (between 136th Avenue NE and 130th Avenue NE) as a priority location for automated enforcement.

Traffic data revealed that more than 90% of vehicles exceeded the posted speed limit during school hours. Even more concerning, a significant share of drivers was traveling more than 10 mph over the school zone limit, even during peak student activity. Despite no serious injuries reported during the study window, the data signals an immediate need for intervention

This corridor is more than just a pass-through for vehicles but a vital community connector. NE 195th Street links students, families, and neighbors to Woodin Elementary School, Woodinville High School, Rotary Park, and surrounding residential areas. It’s a shared space that serves not only transportation but daily life. By coming together to address speeding along this route, we can make this corridor and the surrounding areas calmer, more welcoming, and safer for everyone.

The Human Cost of Speeding in Our Neighborhoods

Speeding in school zones is more than a nuisance. Research shows that as vehicle speeds increase, so do the chances of serious injury or death in a crash for children, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

A 2024 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that:

  • A pedestrian struck at 20 mph has a 46% chance of sustaining a moderate injury (e.g., broken bone or concussion), an 18% chance of a serious injury (such as an open fracture), and a 1% chance of fatality.
  • At 35 mph, the chance of moderate injury climbs to 86%, serious injury to 67%, and fatality to 19%.
  • At 50 mph, the risk of fatal injury exceeds 80%.

Larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks, which make up a growing share of traffic, pose even greater threat due to their size. At the same speed, a pickup truck or SUV with a front end 13 inches higher than that of a sedan is significantly more likely to cause severe or fatal injury in a collision.

When people speed through Woodinville neighborhoods and school zones, they put lives at risk. Whether it’s a teenager on a skateboard, a child crossing with their parent to a park, or a neighbor enjoying an afternoon bike ride, the margin for error shrinks dramatically at higher speeds. Our community deserves streets that are walkable, welcoming, and safe.


How it Works

School Zone Flashing Beacon on NE 195th Street across from Leota Middle School Image 2 Seattle School Zone Warning Lights

Targeted Enforcement in School Zones

Automated enforcement technology is used to monitor vehicle speeds only during active school zone hours, when students and pedestrians are most likely to be present. These times align with school start and dismissal schedules and will be clearly posted with signage. To begin, the program will include a two-month warning period, during which violators receive warnings instead of fines. Reviews will be conducted every six months to evaluate impact.

When a vehicle is detected traveling over the posted speed limit, the system captures a photo of the license plate only using a visible flash — not the driver or any passengers. The vendor conducts an initial review for accuracy, followed by a secondary review and verification by the Woodinville Police Department. If confirmed, a Notice of Infraction is mailed to the registered vehicle owner, including a timestamped image and instructions to pay or contest the citation. This approach allows for fair, consistent enforcement while maintaining strong privacy protections.

Protecting Privacy and Upholding Trust

Community trust is the foundation of this initiative, and the City is committed to protecting personal privacy at every step. Under State law (RCW 46.63.220):

  • Cameras may only record images of the vehicle and license plate not the occupants.
  • All images and data must be securely stored and deleted once no longer needed.
  • Public disclosure is strictly prohibited as is the sale or misuse of data.

When selecting the vendor, the City prioritized companies that demonstrated strong commitments to privacy protection and local accountability. In addition to meeting all legal requirements, the City is mandating further safeguards, including automatic redaction of images and prompt deletion of data once it is no longer needed, to protect privacy and maintain public confidence in the program

Measuring Success, Staying Transparent

As a two-year pilot, this program will be closely monitored and evaluated. Its success will be measured through changes in driver behavior, reductions in speeding, and improved safety on key corridors.

Each year, the City will release a public report detailing:

  • How many citations were issued
  • Trends in traffic speed and volume
  • Crash data from the enforcement area
  • Revenue collected and how it was used

These reports will be shared online, presented to the City Council, and submitted to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. To ensure accessibility for all, key materials will be translated into multiple languages when requested.

To begin, the program will include a two-month warning period, during which violators receive warnings instead of fines. Reviews will be conducted every six months to evaluate impact.

Where Does the Money Go?

Revenue from safety camera citations will be used only for traffic safety, not profit. Washington State law (RCW 46.63.220) requires that these funds be reinvested in the community.

Revenue will support:

  • Camera installation, operation, and maintenance
  • Roadway safety improvements, particularly in low-income neighborhoods and areas with high crash rates
  • Improvements along the NE 195th Street corridor
  • Contributions to the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Fund, a statewide program supporting pedestrian and bicyclist safety

The City is committed to using all program revenue in a fair, transparent, ethical, and equitable manner. Any remaining funds will go toward local safety efforts will be reinvested into local traffic safety improvements across Woodinville. Initial revenue will support analysis and design efforts for the NE 195th Street corridor, followed by project proposals aligned with the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). At least a proportional share of revenue will also benefit census tracts with lower incomes and higher crash rates, ensuring investments directly improve safety for vulnerable populations. Importantly, the school zone safety camera vendors are paid a flat fee, not a percentage of citations, ensuring the system has no financial incentive to issue more tickets (RCW 46.63.220(12)).


Stay Informed

The City is committed to keeping the community involved and informed. Please visit this page regularly for updates, subscribe to City newsletters or alerts, and look for signage and announcements as implementation begins.


Making School Zones and Streets Safer for Everyone.

Each school day in Woodinville, hundreds of children travel to class by foot, bike, or car. Even small mistakes behind the wheel can lead to serious consequences.

To improve safety and reflect our community’s values, the City is launching a School Zone Safety Camera Pilot Program. The City will use automated cameras to deter speeding, not punish, by encouraging safer driving in school zones. The school zone safety cameras will be located along NE 195th Street.

The program prioritizes privacy, fairness, and equity and is part of a larger vision to create livable, walkable neighborhoods and complement traditional traffic calming strategies. The program is grounded in data, public input, and a shared desire to prevent crashes before they happen.


Why the Pilot Program?

Proven Tools for Safer Streets & Schools: A 2018 study by the University of Washington and Drexel University found that the introduction of school zone safety cameras resulted in a nearly 50% drop in speeding violations, with long-term behavioral improvements sustained into the second year of implementation.

Unlike traditional enforcement methods, school zone safety cameras provide consistent, location-specific deterrence. Visible signage and predictable enforcement during school arrivals and dismissals help reinforce safe driving habits when it matters most. In cities across Washington, automated enforcement has saved lives, reduced crashes, and helped reshape public norms around safe driving. With careful implementation, we can do the same in Woodinville.


Protecting Woodinville. Preventing Crashes.

In early 2025, the City's consultant conducted a traffic safety and equity analysis across multiple school zones. The study identified NE 195th Street (between 136th Avenue NE and 130th Avenue NE) as a priority location for automated enforcement.

Traffic data revealed that more than 90% of vehicles exceeded the posted speed limit during school hours. Even more concerning, a significant share of drivers was traveling more than 10 mph over the school zone limit, even during peak student activity. Despite no serious injuries reported during the study window, the data signals an immediate need for intervention

This corridor is more than just a pass-through for vehicles but a vital community connector. NE 195th Street links students, families, and neighbors to Woodin Elementary School, Woodinville High School, Rotary Park, and surrounding residential areas. It’s a shared space that serves not only transportation but daily life. By coming together to address speeding along this route, we can make this corridor and the surrounding areas calmer, more welcoming, and safer for everyone.

The Human Cost of Speeding in Our Neighborhoods

Speeding in school zones is more than a nuisance. Research shows that as vehicle speeds increase, so do the chances of serious injury or death in a crash for children, pedestrians, and bicyclists.

A 2024 study by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) found that:

  • A pedestrian struck at 20 mph has a 46% chance of sustaining a moderate injury (e.g., broken bone or concussion), an 18% chance of a serious injury (such as an open fracture), and a 1% chance of fatality.
  • At 35 mph, the chance of moderate injury climbs to 86%, serious injury to 67%, and fatality to 19%.
  • At 50 mph, the risk of fatal injury exceeds 80%.

Larger vehicles like SUVs and trucks, which make up a growing share of traffic, pose even greater threat due to their size. At the same speed, a pickup truck or SUV with a front end 13 inches higher than that of a sedan is significantly more likely to cause severe or fatal injury in a collision.

When people speed through Woodinville neighborhoods and school zones, they put lives at risk. Whether it’s a teenager on a skateboard, a child crossing with their parent to a park, or a neighbor enjoying an afternoon bike ride, the margin for error shrinks dramatically at higher speeds. Our community deserves streets that are walkable, welcoming, and safe.


How it Works

School Zone Flashing Beacon on NE 195th Street across from Leota Middle School Image 2 Seattle School Zone Warning Lights

Targeted Enforcement in School Zones

Automated enforcement technology is used to monitor vehicle speeds only during active school zone hours, when students and pedestrians are most likely to be present. These times align with school start and dismissal schedules and will be clearly posted with signage. To begin, the program will include a two-month warning period, during which violators receive warnings instead of fines. Reviews will be conducted every six months to evaluate impact.

When a vehicle is detected traveling over the posted speed limit, the system captures a photo of the license plate only using a visible flash — not the driver or any passengers. The vendor conducts an initial review for accuracy, followed by a secondary review and verification by the Woodinville Police Department. If confirmed, a Notice of Infraction is mailed to the registered vehicle owner, including a timestamped image and instructions to pay or contest the citation. This approach allows for fair, consistent enforcement while maintaining strong privacy protections.

Protecting Privacy and Upholding Trust

Community trust is the foundation of this initiative, and the City is committed to protecting personal privacy at every step. Under State law (RCW 46.63.220):

  • Cameras may only record images of the vehicle and license plate not the occupants.
  • All images and data must be securely stored and deleted once no longer needed.
  • Public disclosure is strictly prohibited as is the sale or misuse of data.

When selecting the vendor, the City prioritized companies that demonstrated strong commitments to privacy protection and local accountability. In addition to meeting all legal requirements, the City is mandating further safeguards, including automatic redaction of images and prompt deletion of data once it is no longer needed, to protect privacy and maintain public confidence in the program

Measuring Success, Staying Transparent

As a two-year pilot, this program will be closely monitored and evaluated. Its success will be measured through changes in driver behavior, reductions in speeding, and improved safety on key corridors.

Each year, the City will release a public report detailing:

  • How many citations were issued
  • Trends in traffic speed and volume
  • Crash data from the enforcement area
  • Revenue collected and how it was used

These reports will be shared online, presented to the City Council, and submitted to the Washington Traffic Safety Commission. To ensure accessibility for all, key materials will be translated into multiple languages when requested.

To begin, the program will include a two-month warning period, during which violators receive warnings instead of fines. Reviews will be conducted every six months to evaluate impact.

Where Does the Money Go?

Revenue from safety camera citations will be used only for traffic safety, not profit. Washington State law (RCW 46.63.220) requires that these funds be reinvested in the community.

Revenue will support:

  • Camera installation, operation, and maintenance
  • Roadway safety improvements, particularly in low-income neighborhoods and areas with high crash rates
  • Improvements along the NE 195th Street corridor
  • Contributions to the Cooper Jones Active Transportation Safety Fund, a statewide program supporting pedestrian and bicyclist safety

The City is committed to using all program revenue in a fair, transparent, ethical, and equitable manner. Any remaining funds will go toward local safety efforts will be reinvested into local traffic safety improvements across Woodinville. Initial revenue will support analysis and design efforts for the NE 195th Street corridor, followed by project proposals aligned with the City’s Capital Improvement Plan (CIP). At least a proportional share of revenue will also benefit census tracts with lower incomes and higher crash rates, ensuring investments directly improve safety for vulnerable populations. Importantly, the school zone safety camera vendors are paid a flat fee, not a percentage of citations, ensuring the system has no financial incentive to issue more tickets (RCW 46.63.220(12)).


Stay Informed

The City is committed to keeping the community involved and informed. Please visit this page regularly for updates, subscribe to City newsletters or alerts, and look for signage and announcements as implementation begins.

  • Program & Public Outreach History

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    PROGRAM HISTORY

    • 10-21-25, City Council awarded Nova Global for the Pilot School Zone Safety Cameras program.
    • 8-5-25, City Council adopted Ordinance No. 788 authorizing the use of school zone safety cameras.
    • Summer 2025, Policy Development & Public Engagement completed.
    • 7-22-25, City Council selection of camera location. Ordinance No. 788 adopted 8-5-25.
    • Summer 2025, Traffic Study & Equity Impact Analysis completed.
    • Completed Spring 2025 - Evaluated traffic safety and equity impacts of school zone safety cameras at Woodinville High, Woodin Elementary, Wellington Elementary, Leota Middle, and Woodmoor Elementary School.
    • Summer 2024, Needs Assessment & Proposa for School Zone Safety Camera Pilot Program completed.


    PUBLIC OUTREACH

    Throughout June and July 2025, City Councilmembers and staff conducted outreach on the proposed pilot program with the community surrounding NE 195th Street. On July 22, 2025, staff presented engagement results and a draft ordinance incorporating public feedback to the City Council.


Page last updated: 23 Oct 2025, 08:56 AM