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Safer Streets
Attention: Active School Zone Speed Cameras This Summer
As the school year comes to a close, we want to remind everyone that some schools will hold summer sessions at many locations throughout Albany.
REMINDERS:
-The posted school zone speed limit is 20MPH.
-City speed limit is 25MPH.
-Drive slowly in school zones .
-Watch for students crossing the street or walking in the area.
-Motorists must yield to pedestrians in the roadway and at intersections.
-Pedestrians need to be alert and be seen when walking on sidewalks, roadways without sidewalks, and use crosswalks.
-Pedestrians must cross with and not against traffic signals.
Our GOAL is ZERO Injuries, ZERO Crashes and ZERO Endangered Lives
The City of Albany is dedicated to enhancing the safety and accessibility of its streets for all residents and visitors. This year, we’ve undertaken several key street improvement projects, including major updates to Lark Street and other vital corridors. In addition, Albany is reducing the citywide speed limit to 25 MPH as part of our ongoing efforts to create a safer, more pedestrian-friendly environment.
School Speed Photo Enforcement Program
Legislation was passed by the New York State Legislature and signed by Governor Hochul in September 2023 that allows the City to implement a school zone speed enforcement demonstration program. The law allows the City to use automated speed cameras as part of a safety program in 20 Albany school zones through 2028.
The City of Albany’s automated school zone speed enforcement program will begin on Tuesday, Sep 6 with an initial 30-day warning period at the Eagle Point Elementary school zone in the1000 block of Western Avenue, and at All Saints Academy, also on Western Avenue. Additional systems will be installed and operational in the next two months.
School Zones:
- Academy of the Holy Names
- Albany High School
- Albany Leadership Charter High
All Saints Catholic Academy(No longer in operation)- Albany Leadership High School for Girls
- Albany Leadership Middle School
- Albany Academies
- Albany School of Humanities
- Arbor Hill Elementary School
- Blessed Sacrament School
- Eagle Point Elementary
- Giffen Memorial School
- Green Tech High School
- Henry Johnson Charter School
- KIPP Tech Valley Primary and Middle Schools
- New Scotland Elementary School
- Pine Hills Elementary School
- Schuyler Achievement Academy
- Stephen and Harriet Myers Middle School
- The Albany Academies
- Thomas O’Brien Academy of Science & Technology
- William S. Hackett Middle School
The following speed cameras will turn on :
- Albany High School – Washington Avenue 10/7/2024
- Albany Leadership Charter School – Hackett Boulevard 11/18/2024
- All Saints Academy – Western Avenue 10/7/2024
- Eagle Point Elementary School – Western Avenue 10/7/2024
- The Albany Academies – Hackett Boulevard 11/12/2024
- Thomas Obrien Academy/Hackett Middle School – Delaware Avenue 12/4/2024
- Myers Middle School – Whitehall Road 1/17/2025
- Albany School of Humanities – Whitehall Road 10/10/2024
- Arbor Hill Elementary – Lark Drive 5/16/2025 (warning period started 4/9/2025)
- Roots Academy – Clinton Avenue 2/3/2025
- Pine Hills Elementary School – N Allen Street 2/18/2025
- Green Tech High School – Slingerland Street/Oneida Terrace 4/10/2025
- Academy of the Holy Names – New Scotland Avenue 2/24/2025
- New Scotland Elementary – New Scotland Avenue 3/17/2025
- Kipp Tech Valley Schools – Northern Boulevard 3/3/2025
- How were these school zones selected?
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A comprehensive engineering study including crash data, speed surveys, traffic volumes and other data was evaluated. The City selected these school zones based upon the results of this study.
Albany High School and Albany School of Humanities were identified as two of the most dangerous school zones in the city. During the week-long survey, over 94% of the vehicles monitored in those two school zones were speeding more than 10 mph over the posted speed limit.
On May 25th, a 14-year old student suffered serious injuries after he was struck by a car outside of Albany High School during dismissal time.
A recent speed study of all 20 school zones revealed that a majority had over 2,000 violations per day. Several including All Saints Academy, The Albany Academies, and Academy of the Holy Name recorded over 4,000 violations per day.
- Is photo enforcement effective?
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Yes, studies show that automated photo enforcement reduced dangerous speeding by as much as 88%.
- What type of warning will I receive?
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A warning notification will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle to the address listed with the Department of Motor Vehicles during the first 30 days of camera system activation.
- What are the enforcement periods?
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The school zone speed limit will be enforced on school days between the hours of 7 am and 6 pm.
- Who will receive the violation?
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The law holds the registered owner responsible for the violation.
- What is the penalty for speeding?
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A violation is a civil penalty of $50 and does not get reported to the State of NY or your insurance company. An additional late fee of $25 will be added if not paid by the due date.
- Can I contest the citation?
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Yes, you are able to contest the citation through the Albany Parking Violations Bureau. The notice of violation includes information on the appeal process.
- Will I know which school zones are being monitored?
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Yes, each school zone will be clearly marked with signage showing the speed limit, enforcement time and the fact that the school zone is photo enforced.
Summer School Zone Details
As the school year comes to a close, we want to remind everyone that some schools will hold summer sessions at many locations throughout Albany. Below is a list of schools that will have active school speed zone cameras on certain dates and times:
Albany High School, cameras on Washington Avenue 7/9/25 through 8/18/25 cameras active 07:30-13:30
All Saints Academy on Western Avenue 6/30/2025 through 8/29/2025 (school is schedule to close and not open for the next school year) cameras active 07:00-16:30
Blessed Sacrament School on Central Avenue 6/30/25 through 8/8/25 cameras active 07:00-16:30
The Albany Academies on Hackett Boulevard 7/9/25 through 8/29/25 cameras active 07:00-12:30
Thomas O’Brien Academy/Hackett Middle School (this is one schools zone) 7/7/25 through 8/7/25 cameras active 07:30-17:30
Meyers Middle School on Whitehall Road 7/7/258 through 8/7/25 cameras active 07:00-12:30
Albany School of Humanities on Whitehall Road 7/7/25 through 8/15/25 cameras active 07:30-13:30
Pine Hills Elementary School on N Allen Street 7/7/25 through 8/1/25 cameras active 08:00-13:30
Green Tech High School on Slingerland Street/Oneida Terrace 7/7/25 through 8/1/25 cameras active 07:00-16:00
Academy of the Holy Names on New Scotland Avenue 6/30/25 through 8/29/25 cameras active 07:00-14:00
Kipp Tech Valley Schools on Northern Boulevard 7/7/25 through 8/15/25 cameras active 07:00-14:30
Please also remember that while other schools won't have a summer school session they will still have summer activities.
Street Projects
Completed Projects Major traffic calming measures, improved bicycle infrastructure, and enhanced pedestrian safety features on Madison Avenue, Clinton Avenue, Lark Street, New Scotland Avenue, and Henry Johnson Boulevard.
Ongoing Projects Projects focusing on traffic calming, bicycle infrastructure, and pedestrian safety on Central Avenue, Frisbie Avenue, Brevator Street.New Speed Limit: 25 MPH
Effective January 1, 2025, Albany is reducing the speed limit to 25 MPH on all city streets to::
- Improve Safety: Lower speeds reduce the risk and severity of accidents, especially in areas with heavy pedestrian and cyclist traffic.
- Enhance Walkability: Slower traffic fosters a more comfortable environment for walking and biking.
- Support Vision Zero: This initiative aligns with Albany’s Vision Zero strategy, aimed at eliminating all traffic-related fatalities and severe injuries.