Warnings are up and the first automated traffic cameras have been installed. In April, traffic violations will be issued to those speeding in the Horizon Elementary school zone along Casino Road. Six more camera locations will be added at different intersections in the city, focusing on red light violations.
Cameras take two pictures of your vehicle and record a 12 second video. For the first 30 days, the violations will be warnings, but after that, you’re looking at $124 ticket for violating speed limits in a school zone or running a red light.
We interviewed Corey Hert, Everett City Traffic Engineer to learn more about the program. Here’s what we learned:
Map of Traffic Cameras. Click image to expand.
Where will the cameras be?
- Broadway & 16th Street
(North & Southbound) - Everett Mall Way & 7th Ave SE (SW)
- Evergreen Way & Casino Rd
(Northbound & Eastbound) - Evergreen Way & 4th Avenue W
(Northbound) - Evergreen Way & 112th Street SW
(Eastbound) - Rucker Avenue & 41st Street
(North & Southbound) - Horizon Elementary (2 cameras)
How does the system work?
A camera & multi-tracking radar by NovoaGlobal will snap two pictures and a video of your car as it goes through an intersection or past a school zone. It will record your speed as well as photo proof that the school zone reduced speed beacons were on.
For the systems at intersections, it will capture red light violations as well as California stops (not stopping all the way when making a right turn).
What is the Goal of the Traffic Cameras?
Contrary to popular belief, it is not intended to be a city money grab. It is considered to be a revenue neutral program.
The goal of Everett’s automated traffic safety camera program is to improve safety through a reduction in traffic violations at a specific school zone and intersections where data has shown a high level of crashes and/or speed violations.
Any money generated by the program will be put back into traffic safety projects, like speed beacons, enhanced crosswalks, lighting, and sidewalks. As drivers adjust their driving habits, violations are expected to go down significantly over time.
How much does it cost taxpayers?
Cameras cost $3-4k for each direction (school zone is cheaper) and additional staff will be needed, but the program will pay for itself. This includes covering the additional staffing needs for police staffing to review each violation, plus court support and engineering staff.
How many violations are projected?
The vendor conducted a study to make projections and the expectation is around 22,253 violations a month before issuing warnings for 30 days. That number will drop to approximately 6,676 violations after the 30 day warning-only grace period. After about a year of use, Everett expects to only issue about 2,000 violations a month. An expected 80% of violations will come from people who don’t live in Everett.
What is the best way to avoid violations?
Keep your eyes open for the reduced speed school zone yellow flashing beacons, which are typically on in the mornings (around 8:15-9:15am) and when the school day ends (3:25-4:25pm). The City of Everett coordinates with schools to know when school is in session and programs the beacon lights accordingly.
At intersections, be sure to stop before the intersection line for any red light and make sure you come to a full stop before making a right turn. Running a yellow light will not trigger the cameras or result in a ticket.
What is the ticking process?
The automated traffic camera system will log possible violations and those will all be reviewed by an officer. The officers will have access to the radar data, plus photos and video to determine whether or not to issue the ticket.
What happens if I get a ticket?
Tickets will be mailed to you and show you the photos of your vehicle, including the license plate, photo proof of the light being red or that the school zone beacons were on, plus information on how to watch the video. You can pay online, by mail, or in-person.
If you want to mitigate or contest your ticket at the Everett Municipal Court there will be options to do so. This is important for sold vehicles, or if you weren’t the driver. Automated traffic safety camera tickets are processed like parking tickets and will not appear on your state driving record.
What other Washington cities are using this system?
Dupont, Fife, Tacoma, and Tukwila all implemented the NovoaGlobal system
How were the intersections chosen?
In 2005 Washington State passed a law authorizing cities to use automated traffic safety cameras. In 2008, the Everett City Council adopted an Ordinance that authorized the use of automated traffic cameras with specific parameters on fines and what the revenue could be used for. 16 years later, through a number of steps and a vetting process, we are now seeing the cameras roll out. The locations were chosen by the frequency of crashes and violations (6 of the top 7 intersections for total crashes over the past year). 9 intersection cameras and two school zone cameras are being installed (see above mentioned locations).
March 21, 2024
Everett Government, Everett Schools, Police Blotter