Ruston launches automated traffic camera program

Ruston is rolling out automated speed enforcement at high-risk corridors and park areas, starting with a 30-day warning phase before fines begin. City officials say the program is meant to slow speeding drivers, protect pedestrians and cyclists, and reinvest citation revenue into safety improvements.

Why it matters: - Ruston is using automated speed cameras to target areas where speeding poses the biggest risk to pedestrians, cyclists, and park users. - The city says the program is designed to reduce crashes and support a zero-fatality goal, not just issue tickets. - Citation revenue will be reinvested into public safety programs and traffic-calming projects.

What happened: - Ruston has begun a new automated traffic safety camera program focused on speed enforcement in high-risk corridors and public park areas. - The program is authorized under Washington State law RCW 46.63.170 and Ordinance No. 1599, adopted Feb. 17, 2026. - Ruston Police Chief Nestor Bautista said the city is prioritizing safety for people using parks and crossing high-risk corridors. - The city will start with a 30-day warning phase before issuing fines.

The details: - The camera program targets locations with persistent speeding concerns. - Active enforcement areas include Winnifred Park Area on eastbound and westbound 51st Street, Rust Park Area on northbound and southbound Baltimore Street, and North Pearl Street in the 4900 block northbound. - Traffic studies found about 14% of the 4 million vehicles traveling through Ruston each year exceed established safety speed thresholds. - The city set a $145 fine for speeding 6 mph or more over the limit in standard Speed Zones and designated Park Zones. - Violations are civil penalties under Washington law. - The penalties will not add points to a driver’s license or trigger notice to insurance companies. - Every potential violation will be reviewed and verified by a Ruston Police officer before a Notice of Infraction is mailed. - Enforcement zones will have visible regulatory signs warning drivers about the cameras. - The city said the program uses NovoaGlobal’s data-driven automated enforcement tools. - More information is available on the official page.

Between the lines: - Ruston is pairing technology with manual review to address concerns about fairness and accuracy. - The phased rollout suggests the city wants drivers to change behavior before monetary penalties begin. - The focus on parks and arterial roads signals that Ruston is treating speeding as a community safety issue, not only a traffic enforcement issue.

What's next: - Drivers receiving warnings during the first 30 days will not face monetary penalties. - Full enforcement will begin 30 days after the warning period ends, with citations issued for violations recorded on or after that date. - Ruston will continue to collect revenue from citations and direct it toward public safety and traffic-calming work.