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Starting Monday (November 3), Syracuse will begin issuing fines to drivers caught speeding in school zones or running red lights. This marks the end of a 60-day grace period for the city's new traffic enforcement program, which uses automated cameras to monitor school zones. During the grace period, approximately 35,300 warnings were issued between September 16 and September 30, down from 60,000 in the first two weeks of the program. The decrease in warnings suggests the program is already having an impact on driver behavior.
Each violation will incur a $50 fine, with an additional $25 late fee for unpaid tickets. Fines will be mailed to the vehicle's owner. According to Syracuse.com, if the city had enforced these warnings, it could have generated over $1.7 million in revenue.
The city's Chief Operations Officer, Conor Muldoon, emphasized the need for continued vigilance, noting that while the number of violations has decreased, 35,000 violations in school zones is still too high. Mayor Walsh echoed this sentiment, stating, "We need every driver to take this seriously. Slowing down and abiding by red lights saves lives."
The program also includes a School Bus Stop-Arm Camera Program, which has recorded 2,000 violations since April 3. Spectrum Local News reports that the city has posted signage in all enforcement areas to alert drivers to the presence of cameras.
The city encourages all drivers to slow down and stay alert to protect students and their families. For more information on enforcement locations and FAQs, visit the city's official website.