Speed Cameras to Soon Activate Along Broad Street

The Philadelphia Parking Authority (PPA) has announced it anticipates concluding the installation of speed cameras along Broad Street by the end of August.

According to WHYY Public Media, once the installation is completed, 30 speed cameras will be stationed at 15 intersections along Broad Street between Old York Road near Montgomery County and League Island Boulevard near the Navy Yard in South Philadelphia.

PPA spokesperson Martin O'Rourke confirmed that if everything with the camera installation goes according to plan, the PPA will announce the beginning for a warning period in September.

During a 60-day grace period when the cameras are activated, drivers caught speeding will be given a written warning instead of a citation. After the expiration of the grace period, motorists must be traveling at least 11 mph in excess of the posted speed limit to receive a citation. The citation may incur fines up to $150.

The speed limit along much of Broad Street is 25 mph.

Installation of the speed cameras comes as new data reveals that Broad Street is now the most dangerous traffic corridor in Philadelphia. Traffic experts point to another statistic: 60 people have lost their lives in traffic crashes in Philadelphia, according to city data. This figure puts Philadelphia on track to exceed the total fatalities recorded in 2019 "— the year before traffic fatalities surged in Philadelphia and nationwide," according to WHYY.

Nearly half of this year's deaths involved pedestrians or bikers. Several of these fatalities occurred on or very close to Broad Street. In comparison, two people have been killed on or close to Roosevelt Boulevard so far this year.

“Since we've made speed improvements and safety improvements on Roosevelt Boulevard, North Broad has actually emerged as the most dangerous street in Philadelphia. It was our prime candidate for deploying additional speed cameras,” said Christopher Puchalsky, director of policy and strategic initiatives with Philadelphia's Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems, shared with WHYY.