I-5 camera catching speeders — at $137 a pop — in Lewis County

The Washington State Department of Transportation's new radar-operated camera system snapped photos of 136 speeders in its first three days of operation this week.

The car owners will be mailed $137 tickets.

Currently located at a construction site on Interstate 5 between Chehalis and Napavine, Lewis County, the camera, installed in a white SUV, is meant to slow motorists passing through work zones.

"Drivers need to be really extra careful in those locations because it's not only protecting the workers, but also protecting themselves and their passengers," said Alice Fiman, department spokeswoman.

Of the 57 speeding infractions captured Monday, the majority were between 6 p.m. and 1 a.m. when workers were on the road, Fiman said.

The SUV displays "Give 'Em a Brake" stickers and signs notifying motorists of the camera.

"It's not like we're trying to hide," Fiman said. "Our goal here is to bring speeds down, so it's better that people know about it. Rather than write tickets, we'd love to be able to show that we reduced speeds."

The camera will remain at its Chehalis location for several weeks before moving to another site about 25 miles north, she said.

Noelene Clark: 206-464-2321 or nclark@seattletimes.com