Wake County school board chair apologizes for speeding in a school zone
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Tyler Swanson issued a public apology Tuesday for speeding in a school zone.
- Swanson was cited Jan. 9 for driving 47 mph in a 25 mph zone near West Cary Middle School.
- Swanson has a court hearing set for May 6; fines paid if convicted would go to schools.
Wake County school board chair Tyler Swanson issued a public apology on Tuesday for speeding in a school zone.
Swanson was cited by Cary Police for going 47 mph in a 25 mph school zone on Jan. 9 near West Cary Middle School. At the end of Tuesday’s school board meeting, Swanson said he accepted full responsibility for the speeding ticket and had learned his lesson.
“It’s no secret I received a speeding ticket in a school zone and so for that I want to take full responsibility for that,” Swanson said.
Swanson had previously declined comment on the ticket. But on Tuesday, Swanson thanked the Cary police officer who ticketed him for doing his job to maintain safety in a school zone.
“I can assure you that I have learned my lesson and so if you’re behind me, I’m going 10 miles under the speed limit and stopping so therefore those cars can see that kids are walking,” Swanson said. “I again take full responsibility.”
Swanson has a court hearing scheduled for May 6. If convicted, any fine paid under state law would go to the school system.
Swanson supports speed cameras in school zones
Swanson is a former special education teacher at Enloe High School in Raleigh. He became the youngest person elected to the Wake County school board in 2022 when he defeated Michele Morrow to represent District 9, which includes much of Cary.
Swanson was 28 when he was first elected and 29 when he was sworn into office.
In December, Swanson, 32, became the youngest person to be elected chairperson of the Wake school board. Wake is North Carolina’s largest school system, educating 160,000 students.
In March, the school board was briefed on a proposal to work with the county to install cameras in school zones and on school bus stop-arms. The effort was promoted as a way to discourage speeders, as well as raise additional revenue for the school system from the fine money.
Swanson was one of the most outspoken members in support of installing the cameras during the board discussion. On Tuesday, Swanson reiterated his support for the speed zone cameras.
“I have always been committed to making sure that school zones and students who walk to school are safe and my commitment to that is stronger than ever,” Swanson said on Tuesday.
