The westbound traffic camera on Santiam Road at Geary Street on July 24, 2026.
Another month of data from Albany’s traffic cameras confirms what we already know: On streets that encourage it by their design, many motorists drive about 11 or 12 miles an hour over the posted speed.
Road design and conditions have more to do with traffic speed than posted limits. That’s the conventional wisdom, and Albany’s data bear it out.
Santiam Road from Pacific to Main is a straight arterial road without on-street parking. The posted limit is 25 mph, but during August the speed cameras on Santiam at Geary Street recorded 267 vehicles going an average of 37 mph.
Once again during August, Santiam/Geary proved to be by far the most productive of the four Albany intersections with traffic cameras in terms of speeding tickets and city revenue.
Queen Avenue at Elm Street is another thoroughfare without on-street parking and a 25 mph limit. In August, that location was second in terms of speeding tickets with 160. There too, the average speed of ticketed drivers was 37 mph.
On North Albany Road, the speed limit all month was 40 mph. There, the cameras caught 13 drivers for speed violations, with an average speed of 54 mph and a high of 63. That must have been when no one else was on the road, because those speeds are impossible when there’s normal traffic.
The cameras at three intersections watch two directions of one street. At the fourth, Queen and Geary, they watch both streets in one direction each.
The Albany Police Department publishes a monthly summary of traffic camera statistics. The dashboard is online, here.
Given the consistent number of average speeds on Santiam Road, traffic authorities normally would consider adjusting the posted speed. But that would limit ticketing to serious speeders and cut down on the city’s revenue potential. So chances of an adjustment being made are small. (hh)
This City is all about “Generate Revenue”, citizens be damned.
HOW ABOUT this Mayor/Council tighten the City’s “belt”! That’s what the citizens have to do. Why do you think you are above them.
“But that would limit ticketing to serious speeders…”
I guess one can be just a little bit pregnant too… For all the advertising and wailing & gnashing of teeth, I have ZERO compassion for the idiots who continually abuse the speed law!
What of us who only periodically abuse the speed laws? Zero compassion leaves no hope.
Throw the fallen a bone. It’s what Jesus would do.
I’m looking at Klarna to pay off my fine in installments. Gives me time to find enough cans in Periwinkle Creek.
If any readers out there are old like me and not that fond of the digital world, “Klarna” (as mentioned in above comment by Scott B.) is a licensed, Swedish digital bank and tech company famous for its “Buy Now, Pay Later” plans. (I didn’t know that; I looked it up.)
Not a problem Scott… Free will and freedom of choice. As long as you understand the potential consequences of your actions, go for it. Just don’t complain if you do get caught. :-)
Ray, I can’t believe I’m typing this, but, I agree with you. And, I don’t agree with Hasso about people’s speeding habits being gauged by how curvy the street is. We oldsters are on limited incomes. My concern when I’m driving is to “not” speed and “not” get a ticket. So, I go by what the posted speed limit is.
I got a ticket for 36 on Santiam and Geary, didn’t realize it dropped from 35 to 25 in that stretch, don’t use that street very often but have been trying to avoid the triangle because of all the drivers I have seen lately going the wrong way on the one way streets plus those individuals that are stepping out into traffic without warning. Will have to go to to court, ask for traffic school, and pay whatever fine the judge says is appropriate. More interested in avoiding the insurance increases which have been 50% in some cases, just because. Another industry that has figured out how to proft off the community without supplying anything other than a promise with all kinds of stipulations. Also not real happy to see the company that is supplying the “evidence” for these tickets is under a security fraud investigation (twice), compromising confidential information, failure to file a 10-K because of financial irregularities, and their CEO just resigned a couple months ago; no idea the integrity of their data or the product they are selling. I trust our sworn officers that live in our community, they are us, I trust them to be ethical, but this company is anything but sworn. I don’t feel like an “idiot”.
Ray, just like other communists, loves government surveillance and taxation for the socialist causes.
The state of Oregon has the exclusive authority to set speed l8mits on public roads in Oregon. While I am not positive, I think they move the speed limit up more than they move it down.
FYI The speed limit regulation by the State has been changed, Cities and Counties can now present their wishes to the State and upon approval make the changes.
The speed limit on Scenic Drive in N. Albany was changed to 45 at the request of the Commissioners
Cities and counties being able to make suggestions to the state on speed limit changes does not give cities and counties the final say. Those suggestions, as you say, have to be approved by the state. The commissioners do run the county and have the final say on most matters. That is the way our system is set up and it has always been that way in Oregon as far as I know. But, as you pointed out, apparently the state of Oregon has the final say on traffic speeds.
Automated traffic surveillance systems, including speed cameras, go beyond catching momentary speeding.
They enable government to track and store the continuous movements of everyday citizens.
Like Hasso’s post implies, in Albany it appears there is no limit to the abuse. It’s creepy.
Rather than advocating for higher speed limits, why doesn’t Hering champion safer, slower speed limits. Afterall, Hering is the one forever prattling on about how autos are endangering him on his daily bicycle forays. His logic is shot full of holes. He says, quite clearly, that since so many are currently violating the law that the City should simply change the laws to meet the violators’ taste. Seems more sensible to encourage people to slow down, not speed up.
“Afterall, Hering is the one forever prattling on about how autos are endangering him on his daily bicycle forays”
Show us where he has said that to prove you aren’t lying. Forever? Daily?
Wait till North Albany road opens for school next week….My bet….400 tickets in Sept …The Albany cash flow is back on….fix the potholes..
Highly doubt it. Especially since they changed to flashing light system! It’s not going to be all day 20 miles an hour it’s only when lights are flashing. And if you can’t tell that a light is flashing then maybe you should be getting a ticket no matter what. But it’s not going to bump it up that much
While speed is important, driving safely is more important. Driving through red lights, using cell phones, riding bumpers, pulling out too close into into traffic and/or another lanes are the most dangerous. Many accidents are caused by bad driving habits rather than driving a little over the speed limit. During bad weather people drive the speed limit when it is unsafe too. That is why police officers can make better judgements than cameras. Focusing on speeding and red lights is not adequate to address driving safety. Driving in Albany is more dangerous than it ever has been. My poor kiddos get lectures way too often on all forms of dealing with all traffic. Everyday I avoid many accidents with drivers, bike riders and people walking.
You are right, mostly. But, obeying the posted speed limits is “part of driving safely.”
AO, I was run over by a car when i was a kiddo by someone going the speed limit but not driving safely. The person that took me to the hospital drove me quickly to the hospital so i assume he drove over the speed limit. We arrived safely and the doctor said it likely saved my arm. The guy who ran me over was driving the speed limit but was not paying attention to other traffic. He never received a ticket or paid for my medical bills. With the cameras in place people know the only thing that will get them a ticket is speeding and running a red lights. No one is saying that speeding is ok but it is not just black and white. Most people go the speed that is safe while they are driving no matter if it is a little faster or slower than the speed limit. Laws are created for people who do not have respect for others and need to be punished for their disregard for others safety. Punishing people because of a few bad apples is a waste of everyone’s time and money.
Wow! You are the poster boy for Libertarians. You typed, “Laws are created for people who do not have respect for others and need to be be punished for their disregard for others safety.” Again, wow!! Congrats on being the Libertarian poster boy!! (Glad your arm was saved.)
So believing in fair justice for everyone is a libertarian cause lol. My gramma used to say “do not believe everything you hear and only half of what you see” (Poe). I was just a little kiddo without any political views. All I knew was I got ran over by a car and no one cared but one guy, I was thankful. It is messed up making fun of someone’s tragedy. Thank you for proving my point.