What To Expect in Buffalo School Zones With Speed Cameras Removed

Back in May 2021 the City of Buffalo Common Council, Buffalo's legislative body, voted to end the controversial school zone speed camera program and remove all of the speed cameras that had been installed throughout the City before school started for the 2021-22 school year.

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After a few hiccups like drivers being ticketed even after the program ended, and a lawsuit or two, the cameras were finally removed from most locations right before school started at the end of August 2021.

Now that's it's been about one full month since the cameras have been removed, and school has started, here's a quick rundown of what you should expect when driving through the City of Buffalo during school hours?

In addition to the removal of the camera, according to the new law that was passed, some of the changes around school zones in Buffalo will include various other measures around schools to reduce speed. Those measures include various traffic calming ideas like:

• Increasing the Speed Limit from 15 mph to 20 mph to help with traffic flow
• Installing Radar Speed Signs at the outer edge of school zones
• Adding 'SCHOOL' pavement markings on the ground at intersections
• Ensuring crosswalks are completely marked
• Using portable speed humps
• Increased police patrols and presence around schools to enforce traffic laws

As someone who lives very close to a busy school zone in Buffalo, I can appreciate some of these changes. I'm looking forward to seeing if these make a difference or if people end up feeling like the cameras should return.