Drivers can now be ticketed by Bellevue’s 4 new speed cameras

The grace period for the four new speed safety cameras in Bellevue ended Tuesday, meaning drivers can now be ticketed for any infractions in the newly monitored zones.

The City of Bellevue kicked off its automated traffic safety program on Aug. 17 by adding speed cameras at four locations: new hospitals, parks, school walk zones, and corridors with documented histories of speed-related crashes, Bellevue announced.

“We know that addressing speed is important to improving traffic safety on Bellevue’s streets,” said Bellevue Transportation Director Andrew Singelakis. “These cameras build on Bellevue’s ongoing efforts to reduce speeding, prevent serious crashes, and create safer streets for our entire community.”

In August, the city installed four speed safety cameras at the following locations:

• 148th Avenue NE, between NE 13th and 10th Place
• NE 8th Street, between 167th Avenue and 168th Place
• Forest Drive SE, between 138th Avenue SE and SE 60th Street
• Forest Drive SE, between SE 54th Place and Coal Creek Parkway

Speeding dropped 40% during the warning period, Bellevue says

All four sites have been active since mid-August, but the 30-day warning period ended Tuesday, and all four cameras are actively issuing citations.

Pulling data from the 30-day grace period, Bellevue found that the 7-day average of speeding events decreased 40% per day.

“Fewer speeding events mean fewer chances for serious crashes. Thank you for slowing down so everyone gets home safely,” Bellevue stated.

The city will deploy additional speed safety cameras throughout Bellevue in phases, as part of its commitment to Vision Zero, a national program aimed at eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries.

The next phase of the plan calls for three more camera installations toward the end of the year.

• Bellevue Way SE, adjacent to the S Bellevue Park and Ride
• Coal Creek Parkway SE, between Forest Drive SE and SE 60th Street
• 116th Avenue NE, between NE 21st Street and Aegis Living Bellevue Overlake (1845 116th Avenue NE)

The city explained that each new camera would include a month-long warning period, allowing drivers to become familiar with the program. Bellevue noted that the warning period also serves an important purpose for the city by allowing the cameras to calibrate and run tests with the new equipment.

During the warning period, drivers who exceed posted speed limits will receive only a warning instead of a citation. Once the grace period ends, officers will issue citations for speed violations.

A Bellevue police official reviews each violation before a ticket is issued

The fine for speed violations issued through the program is $124, and the fine for a school-zone speed infraction doubles to $248.

Bellevue noted that it already operates three active automated cameras in school zones across the community.

Bellevue contracted with Verra Mobility, an automated traffic enforcement technology provider, to roll out its program. The software captures images of vehicles’ license plates and associated violation evidence, which are then “securely transmitted for review.”

The city noted that a Bellevue Police Department official then verifies each violation before issuing a citation to the registered vehicle owner.

People can view the current status for each camera on Bellevue’s camera status map.

Additional information on Bellevue’s traffic safety program is available here.

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