Youngstown police: Drivers going over 11 mph over speed limit in school zones will be cited
Police cleared up confusion about how fast drivers can go through school zones in Youngstown before getting a ticket.
Lt. Robert Gentile, head of Youngstown police’s accident investigation and traffic unit, answered questions about the speed cameras during Tuesday’s town hall meeting at the Jewish Community Center.
Officials mentioned for the first time in public that the city wouldn’t issue citations to drivers unless they exceed the posted speed limit by at least 11 mph.
Gentile said around 1,987 citations were issued for speeding in school zones.
How is Youngstown police working with Blue Line Solutions?
Gentile explained how the department collaborated with Blue Line Solutions, who set up all the cameras currently recording speed and license plates. The drivers who speed through school zones will be mailed a citation.
One audience member asked: “So what if it said I was driving 22 miles an hour? Would I get a ticket?”
Jason Friedberg, vice president of sales for Blue Line Solutions, explained: “We start at 11 miles per hour and over. You’re not going to get a warning or a citation unless it’s 11 miles or over.”
Another audience member said she believed it was 6 miles per hour, but Gentiles explained this is a different circumstance.
What does the Ohio Revised Code say?
According to the Ohio Revised Code, this is the minimum limit for issuing citations in school zones when using cameras like these. By partnering with Blue Line, the city added some leeway for drivers and will issue citations for speeds of 11 miles or more than permitted.
Here’s what the police website says:
According to the Ohio Revised Code 4511.0912, drivers can be cited starting at or above 6 mph, during the reduced (restricted) speed times that are clearly marked on the signs before entering all school zones. Hours of enforcement will be from one hour before school starts until 6 PM during school days. During all other times before 6 PM, the normal speed limit will be enforced and drivers can be cited starting at or above 11 mph. Fines range from $100 to $150 per violation, depending on rate of speed.
This comes from a decision made in November by the Youngstown city council and has caused major confusion with the School Zone Safety program.
To be safe, avoid traveling faster than 6 miles per hour above the posted speed limits during the restricted hours while school is in session. During non-restricted hours, when school isn’t in session, fines will start for drivers going 11 miles over the posted speed limit.
Restricted 20 miles per hour and enforcement times are posted on the signs.
Drivers will see it before entering every school zone, which each have differing enforcement times due to classes starting at different times.
Youngstown Police Chief Carl Davis thanked Third Ward City Councilwoman Samantha Turner for providing a platform to discuss the cameras in school zones.
“As your police chief, when Mayor Brown first appointed me to this position, I promised you I would seek out innovative and creative methods in our approach to policing here in Youngstown,” he said. “A number of studies were done on how fast motorists were traveling through our school zones .... the numbers of motorists speeding through our school zones was quite alarming.”
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This story was originally published March 22, 2023 at 4:40 PM.