The eastbound traffic camera on Queen Avenue near Elm Street, photographed in July 2025.
Now it’s easy for people with Internet access to keep track of the traffic violations that Albany’s enforcement cameras are recording month by month.
The police department has posted a monthly dashboard on the city’s website. You can see it here.
The dashboard for February is the one currently on display. If the dashboards stay visible when new ones are added as the months go by, people can watch for trends in the numbers to show up.
Some conclusions can already be drawn.
For example, excessive speeding can’t be described as a monumental problem or danger in the school zone on North Albany Road.
The average ticket speed there was under 34 miles an hour. This means that almost all the 264 speed citations in February were issued for going only a mile or two over the minimum 31 mph reading that triggers citations.
The same can be said about the cameras on Santiam Road, the other leading set of speed citation camera, leading in terms of ticket numbers and fines collected. There, the ticket-triggering speed is 36 mph, and the average speed of drivers getting citations in the mail was less than 2 mph above that.
Technically, of course, all those drivers were going more than 10 miles faster than the posted legal speed. Legally, they were in violation. (Assuming the cameras were working correctly.)
The important question, though, is whether traffic safety is enhanced by fining people who for the most part were driving at a moderate speed in line with traffic and the design of the road. (hh)
This is part of the traffic camera dashboard for February posted on the police department website.
A much better safety system would be blinking lights and light strips on the road when children walk over, but that would not generate money for the city. I would hope the money from the tickets would go to such a system, but somehow childrens’ safety at the school is of lower priority.
“The important question, though, is whether traffic safety is enhanced by fining people who for the most part were driving at a moderate speed in line with traffic and the design of the road.”
Wow… Very contorted logic IMO. You very correctly state “Technically, of course, all those drivers were going more than 10 miles faster than the posted legal speed. Legally, they were in violation”
NO shades of gray there! Can you be just a little bit pregnant? Trying to weasel out of the ticket by claiming it was only “moderately” faster than the speed limit is not correct.
Thats not the point being made. The reality is the minor speeding while being illegal isnt a safety concern.
This was never meant to be a safety measure but instead a revenue stream. And is working exactly as designed
So it’s OK to break the law if it’s just “minor speeding.” I stand by what I said. And if your ticket(s) & fines don’t get your attention – then maybe pulling your license might.
Then, in that frame of mind, how do you feel about the State of Oregon NOT enforcing Federal Immigration laws? I guess people like you would rather pick and chose which laws to enforce.
My, my, my… “Who knows what evil lurks in the hearts of men? The Shadow knows!” However, in that frame of mind, I’ve never had the opportunity to weigh in, but given such, I ‘d whole heartedly approve!
Amen Mark
“A little bit pregnant?” you ask. Well in today’s world, there are some that think a man can be. How’s that for logic…
“In line with traffic and design of the road” is a very Libertarian view. Libertarians don’t want government rules. So, if the speed of the traffic is 70 mi. an hour in a 20 or 35 mile an hour zone, it is ok? I think not. And, if the design of the road is “straight,” one can travel as fast as they want?? I think not.
” Libertarians don’t want government rules.”
You swear you will obey every government rule? Are you a Libertarian? I consider myself a Libertarian. We obviously need laws for civil order. We don’t need stupidity for the sake of stupidity.
It’s not about obeying the law, it’s about using common sense.
Webster’s dictionary defines a Libertarian as someone who “upholds absolute and unrestricted liberty; especially of thoughts and action.” No, I am not a Libertarian. You are, as you have said. You also said “it’s not about obeying the law.” Tell that to a judge!!!!
I just Googled Webster’s definition.
According to Merriam-Webster, “a libertarian is a person who believes in liberty of thought and action. It commonly refers to someone who upholds principles of individual freedom, especially regarding free will, or a political philosophy that advocates for limited government, individual rights, and free-market capitalism.”
What don’t you understand about LIMITED GOVERNMENT? You must have looked up anarchy?
The laws meant to protect law abiding people have long past been twisted, loop holed and applied to situations that don’t even apply. If a law is abused and/or used to violate people that try to obey the law but get caught up in the system, it is flawed. Good people are carrying the weight of law breakers that chronically break the law. People vote in laws without the knowledge of how they can be abused. Just like the elder care home and the school lighting situation. How can anyone justify ignoring health, safety and protection as the sole priority of laws. Albany is focused way too much on creating negative community expectations. With the high level of nonprofits accumulating here instead of good jobs they are sowing what they will reap. Accommodating lawlessness is their goal and making money from it instead of offering positive opportunities.
Well put.
Can’t believe how many repeat offenders. I guess some never learn.
HEY…THEY GOT TO GET BACK THAT 22 MILLION SOMEHOW…OH MY TICKETS..