Serving Lucas, Ottawa, Sandusky and Wood Counties
School zone speed cameras near Oak Harbor High School are expected to become operational on Sept. 21 as part of the village’s ongoing efforts to improve pedestrian safety.
Village council approved the use of photo-enforcement in school zones following three readings of an ordinance at its meeting on Dec. 1, 2025, after reviewing traffic data, public feedback and recommendations from the village’s Safe Routes to School planning process. A story on that is also archived at PressPublications.com, titled “Oak Harbor council passes ordinance for traffic cameras in school zones.”
Before citations are issued, the village will implement a 30-day warning period using the new photo-enforcement system. During that time, drivers who trigger the cameras will receive warning notices rather than citations, giving motorists an opportunity to become familiar with the program. Once the warning period ends, civil citations will be issued to drivers traveling more than 10 mph over the posted speed limit while the school zone is active.
“Our goal is simple: to slow traffic and protect students, parents and everyone who travels through this corridor,” Oak Harbor mayor Quinton Babcock said. “We’re beginning with a warning period because this is about changing driving behavior. Success will be measured by more people slowing down and a safer school zone for everyone.”
The system will operate only during designated school-zone hours and only in clearly marked school zones. Violations are civil citations and do not result in points on a driver’s license or appear on a driver’s driving record. Vehicle owners will have the opportunity to pay the citation, identify another responsible driver or contest the citation in Ottawa County Municipal Court.
Each potential violation will be reviewed by a law enforcement officer before a citation is issued. While the cameras capture the evidence, an officer verifies that the violation is valid before approving the citation. This review helps ensure citations are not issued when the school zone is inactive because of circumstances such as school cancellations, delays or other schedule changes.
“Our priority is students, staff and families,” Oak Harbor police chief Eric Parker said. “The cameras provide the evidence, but they don’t make the enforcement decisions. Every potential citation will be reviewed by an officer to ensure it is accurate and appropriate before anything is issued.”
The photo-enforcement system is one component of the village’s broader effort to improve safety around Oak Harbor High School. A village speed study conducted during the first week of the 2024-25 school year recorded more than 1,000 drivers traveling at least 10 mph over the speed limit during active school-zone hours. In addition, the village’s Safe Routes to School study identified excessive speeds along State Route 163 near the high school as one of the primary barriers to students walking safely to school.
The village also continues to pursue long-term infrastructure improvements. Recently, Oak Harbor was awarded a $716,000 grant from ODOT to make pedestrian improvements near the high school, but the project’s funding timeline will not allow construction before 2030. The village also received a grant to improve the State Route 163 crossing near RC Waters Elementary School, which will take place in the fall.
Residents with questions about the school zone photo-enforcement system may contact the Oak Harbor Police Department’s non-emergency line at 419-898-2055.
