PHILADELPHIA – PPA Executive Director Scott Petri joined Mayor Jim Kenney today at a press conference to announce the installation of automated speed enforcement cameras at the first of eight locations along Roosevelt Boulevard.
The decision to place speed cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard is the result of a number of high speed related crashes over the years – many involving serious injury and the tragic loss of life.
Commenting on the new speed enforcement cameras, PPA Executive Director Scott Petri said, “the Boulevard already has nine intersections that are monitored by red light cameras. As a result, red light running has been dramatically decreased on the Boulevard at red light camera intersections by 58% since 2005.”
When the first red light cameras were activated at Grant Avenue and the Boulevard in 2005, 25,673 red light running violations were recorded. At this same intersection in 2018, 4,697 red light camera violations occurred – a staggering 82% reduction in red light running at this intersection.
“We believe red light cameras save lives — and we believe the installation of speed enforcement cameras along Roosevelt Boulevard will save more lives,” Scott Petri said.
“Traffic deaths in Philadelphia are preventable and never acceptable,” said Mayor Jim Kenney. “Adding automated speed cameras on the Boulevard is one of the most effective steps that we can take to eliminate traffic deaths. With the installation of these cameras, we continue to make progress on our Vision Zero efforts to eliminate traffic fatalities in Philadelphia by 2030.”
Once the speed cameras are fully operational, there will be an initial 60-day warning period before fines are issued. Following the warning period, any vehicle observed traveling in excess of 11 miles per hour over the speed limit will be subject to a fine up to $150 — depending on the speed at which the vehicle clocked, and will be mailed to the registered address of the vehicle.
No points will be added to an individual’s driving record. The fine is aimed at deterring driving at excessive speeds that could lead to fatal injuries or deaths.
With an estimated 140 communities in 14 other states already utilizing automated speed enforcement cameras, their effectiveness has been clearly demonstrated. For example, between 2014 and 2017, New York City saw reduced speeding at camera locations by 63% while reducing fatal crashes by 55%.
Ultimately there will be a total of thirty-two automated speed enforcement cameras operational at eight different locations on Roosevelt Boulevard for this pilot program. The automated speed enforcement camera locations are the following;
- Roosevelt Boulevard and Banks Way
- Roosevelt Boulevard and F Street
- Roosevelt Boulevard and Deveraux Street
- Roosevelt Boulevard and Harbison Avenue
- Roosevelt Boulevard and Strahle Street
- Roosevelt Boulevard and Grant Avenue
- Roosevelt Boulevard and Red Lion Road (near Whitten Street)
- Roosevelt Boulevard and Southampton Road ( near Horning Road)