12,000 Tickets

The city of Albany’s newly installed school zone speed cameras have issued a stunning 12,000 speeding tickets in just 10 days. Located near school zones, these cameras are active during school hours and have a strict tolerance, drivers going even just over the limit receive a ticket. Each fine is set at $50, which adds up fast, considering the volume of tickets issued in this short time.

The speed cameras aim to make school zones safer for students by deterring speeding and raising awareness about speed limits in high-traffic areas.

However, some Albany residents feel the cameras are catching too many people unaware, especially since they were recently introduced. As Albany Mayor Kathy Sheehan pointed out, the city has a responsibility to make school areas safe, and the cameras are a direct response to the increase in reckless driving observed in these zones.

Yet, some drivers feel the strictness of the system is too much and too fast. Critics argue that the city should give more warnings before issuing fines and question if the cameras are more about revenue than safety.

According to city officials, however, the cameras are meant to serve as a deterrent, and the fines are just a consequence of drivers failing to follow posted limits.

Albany officials are monitoring public feedback, but with safety as the priority, the cameras are likely here to stay. Whether or not ticket numbers decline in the coming weeks will show how effective these cameras are in achieving their goal of slowing down drivers and protecting students.