THOUSANDS of drivers are fuming after getting unexpected letters in the mail, warning them they had been caught speeding.
The mailers did not come with a fine, but instead issued a warning that a pricey ticket could be next.
WSDOTSince April, 8,300 Washington drivers have been mailed notices for speeding[/caption] WSDOTThe state set up speed cameras on I-5 and I-90 as part of a highway pilot program[/caption] GettyDrivers hit by those cameras can be fined $432 (stock image)[/caption]In Washington, more than 8,000 motorists have already been flagged since April through a pilot camera program.
The state launched the controversial initiative on two major highways using automated speed detection.
Cameras are currently snapping cars on I-5 in Skagit County and I-90 near Liberty Lake outside Spokane.
Officials said the chosen spots have seen deadly or serious crashes linked to speeding, The Bellingham Herald reported.
Each location has two cameras placed an unspecified distance apart, 19 feet above the road way.
This will track how long it takes a vehicle to pass from one point to the other.
That time is used to calculate average speed, and if it’s above the limit, a “courtesy notice” is mailed out.
These notices outline potential speeding fines, but drivers don’t need to pay them – at least not yet.
Washington State Department of Transportation insisted the letters are just safety reminders and not official tickets.
“These violations are not stored anywhere and not reported to insurance or other entities,” WSDOT spokesperson Amy Moreno told McClatchy, per Bellingham Herald.
Drivers hit by those cameras can be fined from $135 up to $432, depending on how far over the limit they were going.
The backlash grew after WSDOT revealed just how fast some people were driving.
“Our highway speed cameras have tracked 47 vehicles going more than 100 mph on I-5 and I-90 IN ONE MONTH,” the agency tweeted.
One driver responded to the department on social media calling the program an “invasion of privacy.”
So far, more than 6,000 drivers have been mailed these warnings since the program began in April.
The cameras are expected to come down by late June, but what comes next is unclear.
WSDOT Courtesy Notice
Read the courtesy notice from WSDOT in full below:
“The Washington State Department of Transportation, Washington Traffic Safety Commission and Washington State Patrol have launched the Highway Speed Camera Pilot Program. This program aims to improve safety on state highways by reducing speeding.
“You have received this notice because your vehicle [redacted] was recorded exceeding the speed limit on I-5 in Skagit County, on 5/05/2025 at 11:21:52 AM between MP 233 and MP 236.
“This is not a ticket; there are no penalties.
“This notice is a reminder to follow speed limits for everyone’s safety. During the pilot program, our goal is to encourage drivers to change their behavior voluntarily.
“Speed limits are in place to protect drivers, passengers and others on the road. It’s every driver’s responsibility to manage their speed, which is crucial for safety and reducing risks.
“While this is not a ticket, if you were to receive a ticket going 1-5 miles over the speed limit you could pay $114.
6-10 miles over the speed limit – $135 11-15 miles over the speed limit – $165 16-20 miles over the speed limit – $195 21-25 miles over the speed limit – $227 26-30 miles over the speed limit – $268 31-35 miles over the speed limit – $370 More than 40 miles over the speed limit – $432“THIS IS A COURTESY NOTICE ONLY AND NOT AN ACTUAL NOTICE OF VIOLATION.”
Source: The Bellingham Herald
“The legislature will decide whether to return these cameras for future enforcement or safety activities,” Moreno said.
There are no current plans to expand the program or start issuing tickets, said WSDOT.
Officials also haven’t reviewed if speeding has actually gone down in the targeted areas.
The pilot, backed by $1 million in state funding, was approved by lawmakers in 2024.
It’s part of a broader push to cut down on speeding and highway deaths.
The overall goal of the program, according to WSDOT, is to “change driver behavior, prevent collision and injuries and save lives.”
Speeding-related fatalities have surged in Washington in recent years, jumping from 165 in 2020 to 240 in 2023.
Last year, 358 highway crashes involving speed led to a serious injury or death, WSDOT reported.
The state has also rolled out another speed camera program, this one in construction zones, and those do carry tickets.
WSDOT said it’s gathering public input on the pilot program, and drivers can comment with their feedback through an online form.
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