Kirkland has new cameras targeting speeding drivers

Speedsters beware: Kirkland has two new speed cameras posted and they started ticketing drivers Monday.

The two cameras are placed in school zones, where lower speeds are posted. One is located at 84th Avenue Northeast, near the Finn Hill school zone. Another camera is posted near Lakeview Elementary on Northeast 68th Street.

The cameras were installed a month ago. Since then, they have only issued warnings. But the grace period is over. As of Monday, drivers caught speeding in these zones are getting cited.

Kirkland's first speed camera program for school zones was established in 2019. Cameras were placed near John Muir Elementary / Kamiakin Middle School and Rose Hill Elementary. The city says that the cameras prompted lower speeds in the area.

The city opted to add more cameras in 2022. Kirkland has posted 130 signs in the two new camera locations, notifying drivers of their presence. The cameras also feature a flashing light.

Revenue from the speeding tickets is being directed at expanding the speed camera program and also into traffic safety projects.

The city of Kirkland has embraced a tech approach to enforcing traffic laws in recent years. In 2022, the city started a pilot program for tech designed to capture street racers. The camera and microphone system detects loud noises associated with street racing and documents the cars involved.