New speed cameras coming to five Seattle school zones

If an effort to get more drivers to slow down near schools, the City of Seattle plans to install cameras at five new locations.

According to the city, there has been a combined 16 percent reduction in citations over about five months for speeding near four schools (Broadview-Thomson K-8, Olympic View, Gatewood, and Thurgood Marshall Elementary Schools) where cameras already exist.

New locations:

-Bailey Gatzert Elementary, on East Yesler Way (Westbound only)
-Dearborn Park Elementary on South Orcas St
-Nathan Eckstein Middle School on Northeast 75th Street
-Roxhill Elementary on Southwest Roxbury
-Holy Family Parish School on Southwest Roxbury

Pending city council approval, the new cameras would be funded by revenues from the four existing camera locations and would be installed in early 2014.

“The public has been clear that we need to do more to protect children as they travel to and from school,” said Mayor Mike McGinn. “The data shows that the existing cameras are helping improve safety near schools by reducing travel speed and cameras should be installed at additional schools.”

The city says it expects speeding citations will continue to drop at the four existing location. “96 percent of those who received a citation and paid it did not get another citation.”

A pedestrian hit by a vehicle going 30 miles per hour has a 55 percent chance of surviving, while 95 percent of pedestrians hit at 20 miles per hour are likely to survive, according to the City of Seattle.

Two pedestrians were hit and killed near Nathan Eckstein Middle School in March. The couple was walking across the street with their daughter-in-law and infant grandson when suspected drunk driver Mark Mullan allegedly hit them. Karina Schulte and baby Elias were severely injured, but continue to improve.