On Thursday night, the St. Cloud City Council approved a new ordinance allowing the installation of speed detection systems in school zones. According to Police Chief Doug Goerke, these systems aim to “increase public awareness of school zone safety, reduce speeding, and ultimately improve overall safety.”
Chief Goerke presented data to the Council showing that speed measurements were taken in seven school zones across the city over three consecutive school days, from January 30 to February 1. During school zone hours, with the flashing beacons active, 3,701 speeding violations were recorded. An additional 1,125 violations occurred outside of school zone hours when the beacons were not flashing. Some of the findings were particularly surprising, such as the 1,262 potential violations near St. Cloud Elementary School on Budinger during active school zone hours.
“The data is unbelievable,” said Council Member Shawn Fletcher. “This solution is almost guaranteed to save a life.”
Council Member Kolby Urban agreed. “Some of those numbers were staggering to see,” Urban said. “The safety of the students and the crossing guards is a top priority.”
Per state law, the city must post signs informing drivers that speed detection systems are in use and conduct a 30-day public awareness campaign before enforcement begins. Offenders will face a $100 fine per violation, with $60 allocated to the city, $12 to the county school district, and $5 to fund a school crossing guard recruitment and retention program.
“I’d be content not getting any money,” Goerke said. “I’m hoping people see the signs that detection systems are in use and they just slow down.”
The penalties will not result in points on the driver’s license, and these violations cannot be used to determine motor vehicle insurance rates.
