Tacoma has 12 automated traffic cameras. Here’s why and where they are and citation fees
Have you ever received a speeding ticket in the mail but you don’t know why? If you’ve been driving around Tacoma, more than likely it came from one of the five automated speed cameras dispersed around the city.
Tacoma’s five speed cameras and nine red light cameras have been scattered throughout the city since Automated Enforcement was approved in 2007.
They were put in place in an effort to improve safety on the roads as well as to support the Vision Zero program which aims to eliminate serious injury collisions and fatalities, according to the city of Tacoma website. The city reported that there were approximately 17,000 collisions between 2014 and 2018.
“Locations were selected based on crash rates and the potential to improve safety,” said city spokesperson Maria Lee in an interview.
Automated traffic cameras include red light running cameras, school speed zone cameras and speed enforcement cameras.
How do automatic traffic cameras work?
Automated traffic camera systems capture speed data as well as images of the vehicle and the license plate. The information then gets forwarded to a Tacoma law enforcement officer for review before the citation is mailed off to the registered owner of the vehicle, according to the City of Tacoma’s website.
How much is an automated infraction fine?
The fine for an automated infraction fee is $124. Lee said this fee is consistent with state law that says an automated enforcement citation cannot exceed the amount of a fine issued for other parking infractions within the jurisdiction.
In 2021, a little over 56,000 automated traffic citations were issued in the city of Tacoma leading to an estimated $6.9 million in revenue for the city.
“All revenues collected through the program are used for traffic safety purposes, which include the costs of running the program,” Lee said.
According to Washington state law, infractions captured by the automated traffic cameras are not reported to the Department of Licensing.
When are the automated traffic cameras in use?
Red light cameras and the speed camera are always in use. School zone speed cameras, however, only enforce the school speed limit of 20 mph and are therefore only in effect during school hours.
Each location where automated enforcement is in use has signage that notify drivers photo enforcement is in use. School zone camera enforcement locations also have yellow flashing school zone beacons.
Locations of automated traffic cameras
School speed zone cameras
Pacific Avenue and South 52nd Street (northbound/ southbound)
North 26th Street and North Orchard Street (eastbound/ westbound)
Speed enforcement cameras
2990 block E. Bay Street (northbound)
Red light running cameras
East 38th Street and McKinley Avenue (eastbound)
South 56th Street and Oakes Street (eastbound)
South 56th Street and South Tacoma Way (southbound)
South 74th Street and South Tacoma Way (eastbound/ southbound)
South 84th Street and South Hosmer Street (northbound)
South 72nd Street and Pacific Avenue (northbound/southbound)
North 26th Street and North Pearl Street (southbound)
This story was originally published September 2, 2023 at 5:00 AM.
