07/10/2026
CITY OF RUSTON PRIORITIZES PEDESTRIAN SAFETY WITH NEW AUTOMATED SPEED ENFORCEMENT CAMERAS TO BEGIN OPERATING ON ABOUT SEPTEMBER 3RD, 2026.
BACKGROUND
On February 17, 2026, the Ruston City Council officially adopted Ordinance No. 1599, establishing the city’s automated traffic safety camera program pursuant to Chapter 46.63 RCW. This initiative follows comprehensive traffic studies identifying approximately 4 million vehicles traveling through Ruston annually, with 14% exceeding safety speed thresholds. The program aligns with Ruston’s Comprehensive Plan to remain a safe, walkable community by utilizing legal frameworks that include public park speed zones and high-risk traffic areas.
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Purpose of the Ruston Speed Safety Camera Program
The City of Ruston, in collaboration with NovoaGlobal, is launching this program to improve roadway safety and protect pedestrians and residents. This initiative focuses on:
• Park and Speed Safety: Reducing vehicle speeds in areas where families, children, and pets are most active.
• Data-Driven Prevention: Addressing identified speeding trends to decrease high-speed collisions.
• Unbiased Enforcement: Utilizing automated technology to objectively target speed, ensuring consistent enforcement for all motorists.
• Efficient Resource Allocation: Allowing the Ruston Police Department to maintain a safety presence in high-risk zones without diverting officers from other emergency calls.
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Implementation Timeline
To ensure the community is well-informed, the program follows a phased rollout:
• Warning Period: Once cameras are operational, a one-month warning period will commence. During this time, violators receive a warning notice in the mail with no monetary penalty.
• "Go Live" Date: Following the 30-day warning period, actual Notices of Infraction (NOI) carrying monetary fines will be issued.
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Enforcement Locations
The program focuses on commonly driven roads, specifically targeting park areas and high-risk zones:
• Winnifred Park Area: North 51st St.
• Rust Park Area: N. Baltimore St.
• High-Risk Zones: North Pearl Street at North 49th Street.
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Fine Structure
In accordance with local safety guidelines, fine amounts are determined by the recorded speed over the limit:
Speed Over Limit Fine amount after 30-day warning period
6 + MPH $145
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Legal Framework & Transparency
• Ordinance No. 1599: The local law governing the program's authority.
• Civil Infractions: Violations are processed as civil infractions; they are not reported to insurance companies and do not appear on a driver’s license operating record.
• Signage: All enforcement zones are clearly marked with signage alerting motorists to speed enforcement.
• Revenue Reinvestment: Revenue from citations is reinvested into public safety programs and traffic-calming improvements within the Ruston community.
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Summary: A Safer Ruston for All
By utilizing automated technology in City Park areas and high-traffic corridors, the City of Ruston aims to eliminate dangerous speeding and protect our most vulnerable road users.
