Speed Cameras Target School Zone Safety
On December 6, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors voted to launch a pilot program that will have 10 speed monitoring devices (speed cameras) installed throughout the county. These cameras will be in nine school zones and one construction zone. Fairfax County Public Schools has a vested interest in this program as its main goal is to keep our community, and by extension, students safer.
The Fairfax County Government reported that nearly 95% of drivers in the school zone at Irving Middle School and more than 40% of drivers in the school zone at Bonnie Brae Elementary School were traveling 10 mph or more above the speed limit.
Speed camera locations will be posted on Fairfax County Government’s website, and the physical locations will be marked with signs placed within 1,000 feet of each camera.
The pilot program will last six months and issue fines to those traveling 10 mph over the limit or more. A 30-day grace period will take effect when the pilot launches. After the pilot program has ended, the countywide photo speed enforcement plan will be implemented in two phases:
- Phase 1, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2024, would include 50 photo speed enforcement cameras distributed between school and work zones.
- Phase 2, in FY 2025, would add 30 cameras for school zones specifically.
Studies show that speed camera enforcement is effective in improving safety by reducing speeding, accidents, and injuries. Visit fairfaxcounty.gov for more information about the program.
