School Zone Speed Camera Program Goes Live on Sept. 18, 2023

The City of Alexandria is preparing to officially start the new school zone speed camera program. Speed cameras are in place in the following school zones:

• Francis C. Hammond Middle School (Seminary Road, between Kenmore Avenue and North Jordan Street).
• John Adams Elementary School and Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School (North Beauregard Street, between North Highview Lane and Reading Avenue).
• George Washington Middle School (Mount Vernon Avenue, between Braddock Road and Luray Avenue).

The City selected the above locations using a data-driven process, considering factors such as crash history, traffic volumes, vehicle speeds and age and number of students. Each school zone is approximately 1/4 mile and has a 15 MPH speed limit when school signs are flashing, which is when the speed cameras are active. Clear signage is in place to inform drivers that they are entering a speed camera zone.

A two-week warning period was employed by the City at the end of the 2022-23 academic year. More than 3,500 warning violations were issued to motorists in two weeks. An additional warning period will occur when school gets underway, from Aug. 21 to Sept. 17, 2023. On Sept. 18, 2023, the program will go live, and paid citations will be issued.

The Alexandria City Council approved an ordinance authorizing the use of speed cameras in school zones and work zones in October 2022 and funding for five speed cameras was included in the Fiscal Year 2023 Approved Budget. The City is committed to providing Safe Routes to School, and vehicle speed is among the top concerns cited by families when asked about their children walking or biking to school. Speed cameras are a proven safety countermeasure that can reduce the number of crashes by more than 50%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Automated enforcement also enables the City to use police resources in other high-priority areas.

The speed cameras automatically record speed limit violations using radar technology. After a law enforcement officer affirms a violation, a speeding citation is mailed to the vehicle’s owner, lessee or renter. The maximum fine is $100.

Visit alexandriava.gov/go/3785 for more information about the City’s speed camera program.