Chattanooga, TN, September 23, 2025
News Summary
Chattanooga is enhancing safety for drivers and pedestrians, particularly in school zones, by installing traffic cameras near Orchard Knob Elementary and Brainerd High School. These cameras will enforce a 15 mph speed limit starting October 6th, 2025, following a 30-day warning period. Drivers exceeding the speed limit during this phase will not be fined, but will face a $50 penalty thereafter. Additionally, five smart streetlights will improve safety at pedestrian crossings, while future camera installations will depend on traffic studies.
Chattanooga is taking significant steps to enhance driver and pedestrian safety, particularly in school zones. The city is installing traffic cameras at designated locations near Orchard Knob Elementary School and Brainerd High School to enforce the 15 mile-per-hour speed limit in these areas.
The traffic cameras will begin operation on October 6th, 2025, which will kick off a 30-day warning period. During this time, drivers who exceed the speed limit will not incur any fines. Following this initial warning period, violators will face a $50 fine for speeding within the school zones.
The Chattanooga Police Department will oversee the monitoring of these traffic cameras. This initiative comes in light of statistics from the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety, which indicate that crashes are significantly more likely to occur at higher speeds. Furthermore, a pedestrian struck by a vehicle traveling at 30 mph has only a 50% chance of survival, underlining the importance of enforcing lower speed limits in areas frequented by children.
In addition to the camera installations, five new smart streetlights have also been introduced at mid-block pedestrian crosswalks, providing crucial safety features in key locations. These streetlights utilize Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (CV2X) technology to offer real-time video coverage and data connectivity, thus enhancing connected mobility and facilitating effective communication between vehicles, infrastructure, and pedestrians.
Future installation of cameras in additional school zones will be evaluated based on internal and external traffic studies. The specific locations of the installed traffic cameras include:
- Eastbound traffic on East 3rd Street at Stanley Street
- Westbound traffic on East 3rd Street past North Willow Street
- Northbound traffic on North Moore Road at Brainerd High School
- Southbound traffic on North Moore Road at Brainerd High School
City officials emphasize that the primary goal of introducing these cameras is to protect children rather than solely to issue tickets. The installation and effectiveness of these measures are part of a broader commitment to improving safety for all road users in Chattanooga.
Background Context
With rising concerns over pedestrian safety and traffic-related incidents, the use of technology in monitoring speed and enhancing communication in school zones is increasingly seen as a vital step. The initiative by Chattanooga showcases the city’s proactive approach to ensure that local children can travel to and from school safely, thereby fostering a safer environment for their education and daily activities.
FAQ
When will the traffic cameras be activated?
The traffic cameras will be activated on October 6th, 2025, marking the start of a 30-day warning period.
What will happen during the warning period?
During the warning period, drivers exceeding the speed limit will not be fined.
What is the fine for speeding in school zones after the warning period?
After the warning period, violators will face a $50 fine for speeding in school zones.
What technology is used in the new smart streetlights?
The smart streetlights provide real-time video coverage and data connectivity using Cellular Vehicle-to-Everything (CV2X) technology.
Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Traffic Camera Activation | October 6th, 2025 with a 30-day warning period |
| Speed Limit Enforcement | $50 fine for speeding after the warning period |
| Location Monitoring | East 3rd Street at Stanley Street and North Moore Road at Brainerd High School |
| Smart Streetlights | Installed at mid-block crosswalks with real-time video and data connectivity |
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Chattanooga Announces Major Renovations for Walnut Street Bridge
New Traffic Task Force Created to Tackle Safety on Hamilton County Roads
Additional Resources
- Local 3 News: School Zone Cameras and Smart Streetlights
- Times Free Press: Speed Cameras in Chattanooga
- News Channel 9: New Traffic Cameras and Smart Lights
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Traffic Cameras
- Google Search: Chattanooga Traffic Safety
Author: STAFF HERE CHATTANOOGA WRITER
The CHATTANOOGA STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREChattanooga.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Riverbend Festival, Chattanooga Oktoberfest, and Moon River Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Greater Chattanooga, plus leading businesses in manufacturing, insurance, and utilities that power the local economy such as Volkswagen Chattanooga, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, and EPB. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREBristol.com, HEREKnoxville.com, HEREMemphis.com, and HERENashville.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Tennessee's dynamic landscape.
