In a proactive effort to reduce speed-related accidents and improve road safety, the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has launched a new pilot program deploying highway speed cameras along high-risk corridors of Interstate 90 and Interstate 5.
The initiative, developed in partnership with the Washington Traffic Safety Commission and the Washington State Patrol, goes live this week in Spokane and Skagit counties. Specifically, speed detection cameras have been installed on eastbound I-90 near Liberty Lake and on the southbound stretch of I-5 between Cook Road and Bow Hill Road.
Unlike traditional speed enforcement systems, this pilot program is designed to educate rather than penalize. Motorists caught exceeding speed limits will receive warning notices instead of fines, emphasizing the campaign’s core goal: encouraging behavioral change behind the wheel, not generating revenue.
According to WSDOT, the program aims to address the rising number of fatal and serious-injury collisions on Washington’s roadways. In 2023 alone, the state recorded 810 traffic-related deaths, highlighting the urgent need for preventative strategies that prioritize public safety.
The speed camera pilot is backed by $1 million in funding from the state Legislature. It targets locations identified as particularly dangerous due to high crash rates and speeding incidents. Officials hope the visibility of the cameras and the non-punitive approach will encourage drivers to slow down and adopt safer driving habits.
In addition to the field deployment, Washington residents are invited to participate in an online open house to provide feedback on the program. Public input is being collected through June 30, after which WSDOT will analyze the results and present its findings to the state Legislature.
This temporary trial could lay the groundwork for broader implementation of speed management technology across Washington’s highway system, as the state explores innovative solutions to combat reckless driving and reduce preventable roadway tragedies.
