Seattle greenlights more traffic cameras as crashes slump
May 14, 2025, 3:01 PM
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - AUGUST 01: A speed camera is shown on August 01, 2022 in New York City. Speed cameras will be operational 24/7 in all five boroughs of New York City starting Monday night as part of a program officials hope will reduce traffic fatalities. (Photo by John Smith/VIEWpress)
(Photo by John Smith/VIEWpress)
Seattle’s City Council has approved an expansion of the existing traffic safety camera program with an 8-to-0 vote. Seattle City Council member Rob Saka, who sponsored the bill, believes the move will protect everyone on the road.
The updated legislation allows more automated cameras to be installed in areas where police say there is speeding and dangerous driving, according to KING 5. It will also update local laws to match recent state changes, add privacy protections, and limit public access to camera data.
Seattle says more cameras, safer streets
The city says cameras have already made a big impact. Since launching school zone speed cameras, crashes have dropped 71%, and repeat violations are rare on those streets.
King 5 stated that 70% of the revenue from tickets will go to the city’s general fund. Of the remaining 30%, at least 15% must fund sidewalk construction and repairs.
The Seattle Department of Transportation said it will review several streets for new camera installations, including parts of Alki Avenue Southwest, Rainier Avenue South, and Martin Luther King Jr. Way South.
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