By Jack Tomczuk<\/p>\n
The Philadelphia Parking Authority<\/a> on Tuesday will turn on speed cameras set up in five school zones.<\/p>\n Automated enforcement is being deployed outside John B. Stetson Middle School on Allegheny Avenue between A and B streets; KIPP North Philadelphia Charter School on 16th Street from Cumberland to Huntingdon streets; Widener Memorial School on Olney Avenue from Broad to 16th streets; High School of the Future on Girard Avenue from 39th to 40th streets; and William L. Sayre High School on Walnut Street between 58th and 59th streets.<\/p>\n The cameras will only be activated when school zone signs are flashing during morning school arrival and afternoon dismissal, according to the PPA. Officials said the devices will be turned off for holidays.<\/p>\n For now, drivers caught speeding will be sent warnings. Fines will begin April 20, the authority said. The cameras snap photos of vehicles traveling 11 mph or more over the limit, and tickets are mailed to the owner, costing between $100 and $150. Points are not lodged against a violator\u2019s driver\u2019s license.<\/p>\n Legislation signed by Mayor Cherelle Parker in May 2025 permitted automated enforcement in seven school zones \u2013 the five listed, along with Visitation B.V.M. and Northeast High. State law limits the city to testing the technology in a maximum of five locations at one time.<\/p>\n PPA representatives said the sites were selected based on crash data. Between 2019 and 2023, there was one fatal crash, nine serious injury collisions and 25 pedestrian crashes in the five zones, the authority stated.<\/p>\n Since 2020, the number of crashes involving pedestrians under the age of 18 has increased more than 60% citywide, according to a Vision Zero report<\/a> published in November.<\/p>\n \u201cOur school-zone speed camera program is about public safety and changing dangerous driving behavior,\u201d PPA Executive Director Rich Lazer said in a statement.. \u201cOur emphasis is on saving lives and protecting children.\u201d<\/p>\n Lazer added that Roosevelt Boulevard, the first roadway equipped with automated enforcement, has seen a 50% reduction in pedestrian crashes and a 95% drop in speeding since cameras were installed in 2020.<\/p>\n In December 2023, Gov. Josh Shapiro approved a bill making the Boulevard\u2019s speed camera initiative permanent; allowing the city to deploy cameras to five more state routes; and permitting a pilot program in five school zones.<\/p>\n Enforcement began in November for those caught speeding on Broad Street, and the devices are expected to be operational later this year on Route 13, which covers stretches of Baltimore Avenue, 34th and 33rd streets, Hunting Park Avenue and Frankford Avenue.<\/p>\n