The Woodbury Police Department will be launching an automated photo speed enforcement program at the Cannon County Elementary and Middle School and Cannon County High School. Speed studies conducted in April 2025 at the Cannon County Elementary and Middle School and Cannon County High School zones identified a significant problem with speeding in this area, recording 2,088 violations in a 5-day period.
In Woodbury at the Cannon County Elementary and Middle School and Cannon County High School zones, we had 41,433 drivers a week in the school zone with 2,088 speeding vehicles (5% of all vehicles). Of those speeding, 1,627 of those speeders exceeding 11-14 MPH over the posted enforceable speed limit (77.92% of speeders). Another 406 of those speeders exceeding 15-20 MPH over the posted enforceable speed limit (19.44% of speeders). Finally, and most dangerously, 55 more of those speeders were exceeding 21+ MPH over the posted enforceable speed limit (2.63% of speeders).
We know that speed kills; statistics show a child struck by a vehicle traveling 40 MPH, only has a one in 10 chance of survival, but if you slow that down to 20 MPH, that same child has a much-improved survival rate of nine in 10. Speeding is also a primary contributing factor in motor vehicle crashes resulting in personal injury and deaths. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 64% of child pedestrians killed in traffic crashes occurred during the weekday (6 a.m. Monday to 6:00 p.m. Friday) (NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts).
Our goal is to increase safety for students, parents, teachers, and the motoring public traveling through our school zones. This program combines robust public information & education, along with a 30-day warning period to encourage people to slow down and change their driving behavior. School zones are clearly marked with posted speed limit signs. Zones will also have flashing lights and additional road signs to capture a vehicle’s speed and give advance warning to the driver of the upcoming school zone. Cameras will be used to identify any non-compliant motorists traveling at 10+ MPH over the posted speed limit.
August 7 will be our warning period. During this warning period, violators will receive a warning in the mail marked in red advising of the violation that occurred on such date and time. Warning citations serve as a reminder to slow down in places where our children learn and play and carry no monetary implications.
Live enforcement begins after the 30-day warning period, starting September 8. At this time, motorists who exceed the posted school zone speed limit will receive a citation in the mail. These citations are civil in nature, carry a $50.00 fine, but do not come with points against your license, or insurance penalties.
Photo speed cameras will be active and enforced on days that school is in session, children are present and when the school zone beacons are flashing. If you are traveling through Cannon County Elementary and Middle School and Cannon County High School zones during school hours, these cameras will be actively enforcing the lower school zone speed limit.
We are committed to changing driver behavior, slowing speeders down, and protecting our children. Please drive safely in our school zones and in our community. Working together, we can achieve our vision of ZERO. “Zero injuries, Zero crashes, and Zero fatalities.”