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Starting today, Syracuse has activated speed cameras near schools to enhance safety for students. Each school property in the city now has at least one speed detection radar camera. These cameras aim to encourage drivers to slow down in school zones. During the first 60 days, violators will receive warnings instead of tickets, allowing drivers time to adjust to the new system. After this grace period, fines will be issued for speeding violations.
According to Syracuse.com, the speed cameras will operate during posted school hours, while red-light cameras will function continuously. The speed limit in school zones is set at 10 mph below the regular limit, with most zones posted at 20 mph.
The initiative follows a similar program in Albany, where over 100,000 tickets were issued since its introduction last October. Syracuse officials hope this program will encourage safer driving habits. The automated tickets are civil violations, similar to parking tickets, and do not add points to a driver's license.
Greg Loh, Syracuse’s Chief Policy Officer, told LocalSYR, "To capture the speed of a vehicle going through the school zone, and if that vehicle is exceeding the speed limit, it captures an image, reports that image." The program is part of the Vision Zero Initiative, aiming to eliminate traffic deaths and injuries.