Neighborhood Speed Watch Program

Working Together for a Safer Neighborhood
Let’s All Work Together!

We all want to discourage speeding in our neighborhoods, especially on the street where we live. The Neighborhood Speed Watch Program offers a unique way to promote traffic safety in our neighborhoods in Seattle, using the three E’s — Engineering, Education, and Enforcement. It is a public awareness program designed primarily to "educate" drivers to slow down and exercise caution when using neighborhood streets. The program is divided into three phases and combines the collaborative efforts of Seattle Department of Transportation, Seattle Police, and the residents, all working together to discourage speeding in our neighborhoods.

Here's How Our Neighborhood Speed Watch Program Works:

Phase One

SDOT loans out a radar unit, at no cost, to one designated person responsible for the pick-up and return of the equipment.

At the time the equipment is picked up, a loan and usage agreement is signed, and the designated person will be trained to properly operate the radar equipment.  The equipment may be used up to three calendar days.  Seattle Transportation provides forms to record information about the speeding vehicles, such as date, time, vehicle license number, and speed.

Two people are usually needed—one person to measure the vehicle speeds and read out the license plate numbers, and the other person to fill out the forms. The information collected during this phase can be used by SDOT staff to develop a traffic calming strategy for your street.

Phase Two

After Phase One has been completed , SDOT can utilize a trailer equipped with a radar display board and place it on the street of concerns. The radar display board flashes the speeds of the oncoming vehicles so that drivers can see how fast they’re traveling, in relation to the legal speed limit.  The radar display board is operated during a time specified by the residents as having the worst speeding problem.

Phase Three

If the residents are interested, SDOT can request for the Police Department to provide follow-up enforcement and/or provide traffic safety campaign flyers for distribution by the local residents within the problem area.

In some cases, some neighborhoods choose to repeat Phase 1 and Phase 2 at a later time, depending on neighborhood needs.

If you have any questions about the Neighborhood Traffic Calming Program, or are interested in applying for a traffic circle, please contact 684-0817.