Washingtoner - City of Tacoma to Activate New Automated Enforcement Cameras Beginning September 14

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The City of Tacoma will activate two new automated speed enforcement cameras on September 14, as part of its ongoing commitment to improve traffic safety and eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes through the City's Vision Zero initiative.

The first cameras to become operational are located on:

Norpoint Way NE (one camera monitoring the uphill direction)
SR-509 / Marine View Drive (one camera monitoring the southbound direction)

A one-month warning period will begin when the cameras are activated. During this time, drivers traveling above the posted speed limit will receive warning notices instead of citations. Following the warning period, violations captured by the cameras will result in $145 civil infractions.

These corridors were selected because they have experienced high levels of speeding and/or serious crashes. Automated enforcement is one tool the City is using – alongside roadway design improvements, education, and traditional traffic enforcement – to encourage safer driving behaviors and reduce crashes.

"Our goal is to protect lives and make sure everyone who travels Tacoma's roads can get where they're going safely," said District 2 Council Member Sarah Rumbaugh. "Following the speed limit is one of the simplest things drivers can do to make our streets safer. That's especially important along this part of SR-509, where you have delivery vehicles, large commercial vehicles, fuel trucks, passenger cars, young drivers, and people who may be unfamiliar with the road and its conditions. This camera is one tool to encourage safer driving and reduce the risk of serious crashes."

Washington state law limits automated enforcement camera images to the vehicle and license plate only. Images are used solely for enforcement of the traffic violation and are deleted when no longer needed.

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The September activation marks the first phase of Tacoma's expanded automated speed enforcement program.

"We've heard countless concerns about speeding, drag racing, and Tacoma residents feeling unsafe while navigating our streets," said Tacoma Mayor Anders Ibsen. "These cameras are one additional tool to make our streets safer, alongside the great work already being done by our law enforcement officers and traffic design engineers."

"I'm looking forward to the safety improvements these traffic cameras will bring to our community," said Deputy Mayor Joe Bushnell. "After hearing from so many residents about reckless driving and preventable, severe crashes, it's clear we need these to support our Vision Zero goals. I'm particularly pleased with the accountability and transparency measures that are in place to show the community that every dollar generated goes directly back into local traffic safety improvements."

"The activation of these two new automated speed cameras is an important step toward safer streets, and I am so excited for them to go live," said At-Large Council Member Kristina Walker. "One of my top priorities on City Council has been the implementation of our Vision Zero initiative, which aims to improve traffic safety and eliminate fatal and serious injury crashes on our roads. We know that automated speed cameras are a proven tool for slowing drivers down, and I'm grateful to the state for giving municipalities the authority to expand automated enforcement. I'm also grateful to our Environment and Public Works Department team for the care and time they have put into alerting neighborhoods about this action. Postcards, community briefings, fact sheets and flyers are all being shared with the public and the cameras will have a one-month warning period. We will have more automated speed cameras coming online in January 2027, and we are not going to stop taking action until we are confident that all our community members, especially our kids, are safe on our roads."

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"Road safety has proven to be one of the most important challenges in our city," said District 1 Council Member John Hines. "Drivers on our roads are simply going too fast and too many accidents are happening that have tragic consequences. Tacoma is making a serious commitment to road safety, and we are putting our resources into that commitment. These automated enforcement cameras are a key piece of our plan to create safer streets and ensure everyone on our roads makes it to their destination safely. I invite everyone in our community to learn more about these cameras and the additional speed cameras we will install in January 2027. Most importantly, I ask everyone on our roads to slow down."

"District 4 residents have consistently urged me to take action on neighborhood traffic safety since I took office," said District 4 Council Member Sandesh Sadalge. "This well-thought-out, equitable approach adds a vital tool in our ongoing efforts to address dangerous driving. The data shows that programs like this accomplish the most important goal: changing the behavior of those who speed in our communities. By incorporating early warnings and lower first-time penalties for low-income residents — and reinvesting the funds collected into traffic safety upgrades our neighborhoods are asking for — this is a program designed to work for everyone."

An additional six new speed cameras will be activated in phases beginning January 2027 at these locations:

South Sprague Avenue (two cameras, one in each direction)
Pacific Avenue (two cameras, one in each direction)
Portland Avenue (two cameras, one in each direction)

The City's Automated Enforcement Program also includes school zone speed cameras and red-light cameras located throughout the city.

More information, including fact sheets and frequently asked questions, is available at tacoma.gov/automatedenforcement. Community members with questions about this program can email visionzero@tacoma.gov.

Filed Under: Government, City

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