Petition to Remove Vehicle Speed Monitoring Camera in Mukilteo, Washington

We, the undersigned, petition the City of Mukilteo and the Washington State Legislature to review and remove the automated speed enforcement camera placed near ferry offloading traffic.

Violations of Washington State Law

Under RCW 46.63.170, automated traffic safety cameras are permitted only where their placement is consistent with traffic safety objectives and where locations are clearly marked and justified. The current placement of the Mukilteo speed camera:

• Fails to meet safety objectives: The area does not present a history of dangerous speeding but instead presents conditions dictated by ferry unloading patterns. Ticketing drivers for forced acceleration caused by traffic surges does not reduce accidents or improve safety.
• Creates predatory enforcement: By targeting ferry traffic flow, the camera effectively functions as a revenue generator rather than a lawful safety device, contrary to the intent of RCW 46.63.170.
• Denies due process: Because drivers have no reasonable ability to avoid speeding when pressured by ferry offloading surges and traffic behind them, citations issued under these conditions may constitute a violation of due process protections under both state and federal law.

Contribution to Dangerous Traffic Conditions

Instead of enhancing public safety, the camera creates new dangers:

• Unnatural braking: Drivers aware of the camera often slam brakes suddenly to avoid tickets, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions.
• Forced acceleration: Ferry offloading pushes vehicles forward at a collective pace. Drivers who attempt to hold back risk causing unsafe congestion or accidents from following vehicles.
• Distraction: Drivers focus on the camera rather than road conditions, pedestrians, or merging traffic, reducing situational awareness.
• Uncontrollable conditions: Speed increases in this zone are not voluntary — they are dictated by traffic surges beyond individual driver control. Punishing drivers for conditions they cannot avoid undermines the fairness and integrity of traffic enforcement.

Motto and Commitment to Fairness

“Keep control with familiar hands.”
— Jubal Jones for leadership

I am a Washington resident of over 30 years, an electrical and digital research scientist, a full-time engineer, and a committed community member who values women’s rights, human rights, scientific progress, and respectful integrity. I believe in fairly demanded diversity, equal opportunity, and listening with both seriousness and humor.

Our community is strongest when we stand together across differences:

• Race and heritage: White, Hispanic, Latino, Black, African American, Asian, Multiracial, American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and other Pacific Islanders.
• Faith and belief: Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Sikh, Native Spiritual, or no faith at all.
• Identity and orientation: Heterosexual, LGBTQ+, nonbinary, intersex, asexual, and others.
• Abilities and differences: People with physical, sensory, mental health, or neurodiverse conditions whose resilience and strengths enrich us all.

Together, we represent the many faces of America. I need you with me.

Requested Action

We respectfully request that the City of Mukilteo and appropriate state agencies:

1. Suspend operation of the camera pending review.
2. Investigate compliance of the camera’s placement with RCW 46.63.170 and Mukilteo ordinances.
3. Assess safety impacts, including increased collision risk, driver distraction, and inequitable ticketing of ferry commuters.
4. Adopt alternative safety measures such as signage, traffic officer assistance, or lane flow adjustments that protect safety without punishing drivers for uncontrollable traffic conditions.

Conclusion

The Mukilteo speed camera, in its current location, appears to violate RCW 46.63.170, generates unsafe driving conditions, and punishes drivers for circumstances outside their control. Its removal is necessary to restore lawful, fair, and safe traffic management for the residents and commuters who rely on the Mukilteo ferry system.

Please sign this petition as a start for maintaining a fair community.