On Monday, Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney announced the installation of the first eight traffic cameras to be placed in Northeast Philadelphia along Roosevelt Boulevard as part of the city’s Vision Zero initiative. According to Vision Zero, 80% of traffic deaths and severe injuries occurred on just 12% of Philadelphia streets.
Roosevelt Boulevard is considered to be one of Philadelphia’s most dangerous roadways, partially due to the rampant speeding down this stretch of roadway. According to Vision Zero, more than 140 people have been killed or seriously injured in traffic crashes on Roosevelt Boulevard since 2013. 60% of total crashes on Roosevelt Boulevard are a result of speeding and aggressive driving.
According to Mayor Kenny, the Roosevelt Boulevard speed cameras will be one of Philadelphia’s most effective measures to reduce the fatalities and injuries caused by speeding drivers.
According to the CDC, “injury crash reductions are likely to be in the range of 20 to 25 percent at conspicuous, fixed camera sites.”
Several cities around the US have benefitted from speed camera placement. Cities from Scottsdale, Arizona to Portland, Oregon have seen decreases in their vehicular injury and fatality rates in the areas where they have introduced speed cameras.
Roosevelt Boulevard Speed Camera Locations
The initial placements for the speed cameras on Roosevelt Boulevard will be near the following roadways:
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- Southampton Road (near Morning Road)
- Red Lion Road (near Whitten Street)
- Grant Avenue
- Strahle Street
- Harbison Ave
- Devereaux Street
- F Street
- Banks Way
After this initial speed camera pilot program is rolled out, a total of 32 additional speed cameras are planned to be installed throughout Philadelphia.
Roosevelt Boulevard Speed Camera Fines
Speeders driving in excess of 11mph over the speed limit will be subject to a fine of up to $150 and zero license penalty points. However, there will be a 60-day warning period once the speed cameras are operational.
Speed Camera Effectiveness
Speed Camera EffectivenessSeveral studies have been conducted about the effectiveness of speed cameras. Many studies have found conclusive evidence that these devices not only slow down the rate of speeding vehicles but also reduce the number of crashes in the areas in which they are located. 2010 research conducted by C. Wilson, Willis, Hendrikz, Le Brocque, and Bellamy, 2010 asserts reported a 14-65% reduction in speeding vehicles and an 8-49% reduction in crashes.
Philadelphia Traffic Cameras: The Real Results
Philadelphia has seen remarkable results from this program. The program initially kicked off with a 60-day warning period on June 1, 2020, which resulted in 224,206 violations recorded for that initial 30-day period, according to the Philadelphia Parking Authority. In August 2020, the first month after the warning period ended, 84,608 violations were recorded – a reduction of 139,598 (63%) violations. Six months later there were 16,776 speeding violations issued for the month of February 2021 – reflecting a dramatic 93% reduction in recorded speeding violations.
