PARADISE VALLEY, Ariz. — Paradise Valley is known for many things, including luxury living, beautiful mountain views, shopping, spas and top-notch entertainment.
It's also known for its speed traps.
Starting Sept. 1, Paradise Valley will deploy new speed radar boxes in school zone areas. This is in addition to the numerous speed enforcement cameras set up around town.
Town officials said the two boxes are intended to look out for children and keep the speed safe when driving in school zones.
“We want safety for the kids and students," says commander Freeman Carney with the Paradise Valley Police Department.
What makes these photo enforcement cameras different than others already installed is that they are portable and will be used at all five schools.
“It'll just rotate between schools throughout the year,” Carney said.
During the first 30 days, people caught speeding will receive a warning, but after that, citations will be issued. However, Carney says that's not the goal of this. "We want safe driving," he said. "So if we don't get any tickets, that's a good thing because we're being safe.”
Carney also discussed how much the cameras cost. He says it is $1,800 per month and $20 for every adjudicated citation.
A speeding ticket from the camera usually costs drivers around $236, according to Carney.
According to the town's website, in 1987, Paradise Valley became the first agency in the nation to utilize photo enforcement.
That year there were over 400 reported traffic collisions. After photo enforcement was deployed, the town saw a 42% decrease in collisions, town officials said.
In February 2021, an Arizona Senate committee rejected a proposal that would have banned cities from using photo radar speed and red light cameras to enforce traffic laws.
Testimony from several Phoenix-area police departments backed the use of the cameras, saying they are useful in slowing down drivers and cutting accidents.
Photo enforcement cameras can be found at the following locations:
- E. Lincoln Dr. and Palo Cristi Rd.-both E/B and W/B
- E. Lincoln Dr. and Tatum Blvd-All four directions
- E. Lincoln Dr. and Mockingbird Ln.-both E/B and W/B
- N. Tatum Blvd. and Desert Jewel Dr.-both N/B and S/B
- S. Tatum Blvd. and E. McDonald Dr.-both N/B and S/B
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