Warning period to end for drivers speeding in two Kent school zones

The 30-day warning period ends this week for drivers caught speeding by camera through two school zones in Kent.

Starting Monday, March 25, drivers caught speeding in the Meadow Ridge and Springbrook elementary school zones will receive a $136 ticket in the mail if they exceed the 20 mph speed limit by 1 to 9 mph, according to Kent Police. Police issue a $248 fine for speeds of 10 mph or faster above the speed limit.

In the first three weeks of the warning period, 330 warning notices were issued to drivers who exceeded the speed limit, according to police. Springbrook is at 20035 100th Ave. SE and Meadow Ridge is at 27710 108th Ave. SE. The speed limit in school zones is 20 mph.

“In school zones where school aged kids are present, drivers need to take extra caution and slow down,” said Chief Rafael Padilla. “Just a 5 mph difference in speed can make a big difference in preventing tragedy.”

The Kent City Council approved the two additional cameras last year. City leaders began the program – at the request of the Kent School District – in 2014 with cameras at Sunrise and Neely-O’Brien elementary schools. The city added cameras in September 2015 at Meridian and Millennium grade schools.

The city of Kent collected a record $1.2 million in 2017 from drivers caught speeding by cameras in four school zones, the latest numbers available. Police use the funds for enforcement and processing of traffic and criminal laws, according to city ordinance.

Here are the enforcement times at Meadow Ridge and Springbrook:

• Meadow Ridge

Morning Cameras:

8:05 am (Violations Start/Flashing Lights ON)

8:30 am (bell rings)

8:35 am (Violations Stop/Flashing Lights OFF)

Afternoon Cameras:

3:05 pm (Violations Start/Flashing Lights ON)

3:10 pm (Bell Rings)

3:35 pm (Violations Stop/Flashing Lights OFF)

Wednesday ONLY – Early Release:

1:05 pm (Violations Start/Flashing Lights ON)

1:10 pm (bell rings)

1:35 pm (Violations Stop/Flashing Lights OFF)

• Springbrook

Morning Cameras:

8:55 am (Violations Start/Flashing Lights ON)

9 am (Bell Rings)

9:25 am (Violations Stop/Flashing Lights OFF)

Afternoon Cameras:

3:35 pm (Violations Start/Flashing Lights ON)

3:40 pm (Bell Rings)

4:05 pm (Violations Stop/Flashing Lights OFF)

Wednesday ONLY – Early Release:

1:35 pm (Violations Start/Flashing Lights ON)

1:40 pm (Bell Rings)

2:05 pm (Violations Stop/Flashing Lights OFF)