50,000 school speed zone tickets issued in Pawtucket, city adding more cameras
by TEMI-TOPE ADELEYE, NBC 10 NEWS
(WJAR) — Thousands of drivers are speeding past schools and racking up fines in Pawtucket.
Police said speed zone cameras have helped catch more than 50,000 motorists so far this year.
“I think it’s a good idea for during the day. During the school hours,” said Rhode Island resident Tony Silva.
Pawtucket Police Sgt. Nathan Gallison agrees.
“We’re seeing that it’s slowing people down, getting people to pay attention, keeping them off of cellphones things like that,” said Gallison.
They issued more than 51,300 school speed zone tickets from Jan. 1 this year through last week.
Pawtucket recently added a camera near the Pawtucket School Annex and another at St. Cecelia’s School, both on Central Avenue.
“It’s a very busy, very busy location. It’s right off of Newport Ave which is a four lane roadway. Central Ave has heavy pedestrian traffic as well,” said Gallison. “Definitely for the safety of the students and pedestrians in the area and just trying to slow down that area and a lot of accidents as well.”
The city is also adding two cameras by St. Theresa’s School on Newport Avenue, one of which is already up with signs. (WJAR)
The city is also adding two cameras by St. Theresa’s School on Newport Avenue, one of which is already up with signs.
But these two newer cameras on Central Avenue are not issuing $50 tickets at the moment.
“It’s a 30-day warning phase for new cameras as per the Rhode Island General Assembly law,” said Gallison. “So those two new school zone cameras are currently in that warning phase and they’re sending out warning violations.”
Locals like Silva said people need to slow down.
“Slow down during the school hours. I mean after school hours you’re taking a chance,” said Silva. “But you know especially during school hours. I think they should slow down and watch out for the kids.”
The warning phase for the Central Avenue cameras ends on Sept. 29.