LYNNWOOD — Cameras set up in two locations last fall to catch school-zone speeders will be active fewer hours each day when students return to class in the fall.
The City Council on Monday unanimously agreed to alter operating hours for the speed-zone cameras near Lynnwood Elementary School, 18638 44th Ave. W., as well as Meadowdale High School, 6002 168th St. SW.
The cameras, which automatically photograph vehicles that exceed the speed limit, began operating in October.
Cameras near the high school, Meadowdale Elementary School and Beverly Elementary were active from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. weekdays during the school year.
When classes resume in September, the cameras will be switched on weekdays from 6:10 a.m. to 9:10 a.m. and from 1:20 p.m. to 4:10 p.m.
Cameras near Lynnwood Elementary School were active weekdays from 8:20 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Beginning in September, the cameras will operate weekdays from 8:20 a.m. to 9:50 a.m. and from 3:20 p.m. to 4:50 p.m.
Before the vote, Councilman Mark Smith said it was unreasonable to expect drivers to heed the 20 mph school-zone speed limit when students aren’t around.
“We all learn in driver’s ed that the key indicator is when children are present,” he said. “We’re asking people to change years of driving behavior and it takes years to change that behavior.”
Lynnwood’s police department had altered camera times near Lynnwood Elementary School earlier this year after receiving complaints from drivers.
In a memo to the council, Police Chief Steve Jensen noted those camera start times were changed from 7 a.m. to 8:20 a.m. and lasted until 4:30 p.m. He had recommended maintaining the current start and end times near Meadowdale High.
“I wasn’t fond of the all-day cameras,” Council President Ted Hikel said in an interview Tuesday. “I thought they should be tied to the times when school was opening and closing.”
Oscar Halpert: 425-339-3429; ohalpert@heraldnet.com.
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