City of Ruston Prioritizes Pedestrian Safety with New Automated Traffic Camera Program

Ruston Implements Data-Driven Automated Traffic Safety Cameras and Begins 30-Day Warning Phase

RUSTON, WA, UNITED STATES, September 2, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Ruston is strengthening its traffic safety strategy to better protect pedestrians and cyclists by deploying new automated speed enforcement technology. This program specifically targets high-risk corridors and public park areas where speeding remains a persistent community concern.

This safety initiative is authorized under Washington State Law RCW 46.63.170 and Ordinance No. 1599, which was adopted by the Ruston on February 17, 2026. Ordinance No. 1599 established the City’s automated traffic safety camera program to improve roadway safety, reduce speeding, and protect pedestrians and residents in designated public park speed zones and high-risk traffic areas. Comprehensive traffic studies revealed that approximately 14% of the 4 million vehicles traveling through Ruston annually exceed established safety speed thresholds.

“Protecting those who use our parks and traverse our high-risk corridors is our top priority, and this program tackles persistent speeding to create safer streets for everyone,” stated Ruston Police Chief Nestor Bautista. “Since our officers find it difficult to conduct speed enforcement at these areas, our data-driven partnership with NovoaGlobal^® provides consistent and fair automated enforcement that encourages safer driving and helps protect everyone who lives, works, and travels throughout our community.”

Active Enforcement Locations
The program will monitor high-risk locations, public parks, and key arterial roads that experience significant speeding issues:

• Winnifred Park Area – Eastbound and westbound along 51st Street
• Rust Park Area – Northbound and southbound along Baltimore Street
• North Pearl Street – Northbound in the 4900 block of North Pearl Street

Implementation Timeline
To ensure the community is well-informed and has sufficient time to adjust driving habits before monetary penalties are issued, the program will follow a phased rollout:

• Warning Period (Phase 1): For a duration of 30 days, violators will receive a notice via mail stamped "WARNING" with no monetary penalty.
• Full Activation (Phase 2): 30 Days After Warnings. Citations with associated fines will be officially issued for violations recorded on or after this date.

Civil Penalty Structure
Fines are determined by the recorded speed over the posted limit. Under Washington State law, these violations are civil penalties and will not result in "points" on a driver’s license or notification to insurance companies.

The City has established a $145.00 fine for any speeding violation of 6 mph or more over the limit in both standard Speed Zones and designated Park Zones.

Commitment to Fairness and Integrity
To maintain program integrity and public trust, all potential violations recorded by the system will be individually reviewed and verified by a Ruston Police Officer before a Notice of Infraction is mailed to the registered vehicle owner. Furthermore, every enforcement zone will be marked with highly visible, regulatory signage alerting motorists to the presence of automated speed cameras.

“This technology provides an objective safety solution,” Chief Bautista added. “It prioritizes safety over ticketing and reinforces our commitment to a zero-fatality community, where every student, family, and senior can travel without the threat of speeding drivers."

Revenue generated from traffic citations is reinvested into public safety programs and community-driven traffic-calming improvements.

For more information or specific program details, please visit the official page: https://www.rustonwa.org/automated-traffic-cameras/.

Matina Vourvopoulos
NovoaGlobal, Inc.
+1 407-789-3607
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