CITY OF SEATTLE
ORDINANCE __________________
COUNCIL BILL __________________
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AN ORDINANCE establishing additional uses for automated traffic safety cameras and designating restricted racing zones; amending Section 11.50.570 of the Seattle Municipal Code; and adding a new Section 11.50.580 to the Seattle Municipal Code.
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WHEREAS, automated cameras are a tool to enforce traffic safety that does not rely on in-person traffic stops; and
WHEREAS, following State authorization, the City of Seattle began use of automated cameras for red light enforcement in 2006, school zones in 2012, West Seattle Bridge closure restrictions in 2020 (since removed), and block-the-box and transit-only lane enforcement in 2022; and
WHEREAS, the Council approved funding in the 2023 Adopted Budget for doubling the school zone camera program and requested a detailed implementation plan and evaluation of traffic safety camera programs from the Seattle Police Department (SPD) and Seattle Department of Transportation (SDOT) through a Statement of Legislative Intent (SLI-SDOT-304-A-001-2023 as adopted in Resolution 32087) due to Council by August 1, 2023; and
WHEREAS, SLI-SDOT-304-A-001-2023 specifically requests: (1) a detailed implementation plan for the doubling of the School Zone Camera that includes a schedule of school zone camera deployment by location, documentation of the race and social justice analysis used to inform the new school zone camera deployments, the anticipated budget adjustments to program administration and school safety programs based on the deployment schedule, and any anticipated legislation necessary to implement the camera deployment; and (2), an evaluation of the costs and benefits for expanding other automated traffic safety camera programs, including red light cameras, block-the-box/transit-lane enforcement cameras, speed zone cameras, and other traffic camera authority provided under state law, including a recommendation and proposed schedule for deplo...
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