KNOXVILLE, Tennessee – The Knoxville Police Department will turn on automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones across the city on Monday, November 16. The department is working with the City of Knoxville and Vision Zero on the program.
Drivers will get only mailed warnings at first. Citations with a $50 fine begin January 5, when students return from winter break.
Where the cameras are going
Cameras are expected to be installed in about 39 public school zones by November 16. Signs will alert drivers to the enforcement areas, and the cameras will run only during designated school zone hours in the morning and afternoon.
Knoxville City Council approved a contract in May 2025 with Chattanooga-based Blue Line Solutions to install the cameras within city limits. Blue Line staff began putting in cameras and the necessary infrastructure earlier this year.
Work will continue in the remaining school zones after November 16. When the project is finished, police expect cameras and signs to be active at 71 sites in 41 school zones.
How enforcement will work
The cameras will detect vehicles speeding in active school zones, with a focus on drivers going well above the posted limit. When a camera flags a possible violation, a Knoxville Police Department officer will review the footage. The officer will issue a citation only if the violation is confirmed.
Police said the cameras have no surveillance or license plate reader capabilities and exist only to enforce speeding violations. The system captures and keeps data only when it first detects a qualifying violation in an active school zone and a citation is issued.
Warning period, then citations
The program will roll out in phases. Phase 1 is a warning period that starts November 16 and runs into the winter break. Violators will receive warnings by mail. Police said this phase is meant to make drivers aware of the program and remind them to slow down.
Phase 2 starts January 5. Citations approved by the reviewing officer will go out by mail. Money the program generates will go directly to city-supported safety improvements in school zones and on city streets.
Cameras installed after the initial rollout will get their own 30-day warning-only period before anyone receives a citation.
Speed studies in May 2025 found a significant speeding problem in Knoxville school zones. Over a five-day period, the studies identified thousands of violations by drivers going well above the posted speed limit.
Officials weigh in
“Keeping kids safe is one of our most important responsibilities, especially in and around school zones where children and school staff are coming and going every day,” said Chief Paul Noel. “Automated speed enforcement cameras are a force multiplier that give us another tool to encourage drivers to slow down and pay attention in these areas, especially when kids are present.”
“The goal of this campaign is not to write tickets, but to keep people safe, especially our students,” said Mayor Indya Kincannon. “I want to thank everyone who is extra cautious in school zones, and who is mindful of all the extra walkers and bikers throughout the school year.”
