The City of Kingston will soon be launching a speed camera pilot program in up to three local school zones, thanks to a bill signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

The legislation, sponsored by state Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D-Saugerties) and Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha (D-Esopus), allows for the cameras to be in effect on school days during school hours, including one hour before and after the school day. Enforcement will begin 30 minutes before and continue 30 minutes after student activities.

“Speeding is a serious danger, especially around our schools, and speed camera programs have proven to make a real difference in preventing fatalities, keeping both students and the wider community safe," Hinchey said in a statement. "I’m proud to sponsor legislation allowing the City of Kingston to launch a speed camera pilot program in select school zones to better protect our residents."

Shrestha said driving above the speed limit is a factor in 29 percent of traffic-related fatalities nationwide, and the danger is magnified in school zones.

"Kingston’s school zone speed camera pilot is a critical step, and I’m proud we were able to move this legislation through Albany this year," she said in a statement. "We can’t continue failing New Yorkers on street safety the way we failed [recent victims of traffic fatalities] Starllie Swonyoung, Raymond E. Rattray, Linh Hong Nguyen, Jack Noble and Dillon Gokey.”

Kingston Mayor Steve Noble said the speed cameras will help ensure the safety of schoolchildren.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our children and this bill will allow the City of Kingston to catch and ticket speeders in school zones automatically and will go a long way in ensuring the safety of our school children," he said in a statement. "We look forward to implementing this new technology in a pilot program as soon as possible.”