By Brian Trompeter
Fairfax County police on Feb. 10 finished installing photo-monitoring devices (speed cameras) in eight school zones to kick off a pilot program aimed at changing drivers’ behavior, slowing down vehicles, improving traffic safety and reducing the number of accidents and injuries.
Data suggest that school-zone speeding is prevalent and cameras are effective deterrents, county officials said. In the five school zones surveyed last year, thousands of drivers exceeded the speed limit by more than 10 mph during the sample period, they said.
Studies indicate that speed-camera enforcement reduces traffic-related injuries and accidents and ultimately saves lives, officials said. The cameras will help protect pedestrians, especially in congested and vulnerable locations, they said.
For the program’s first 30 days, motorists will receive a warning if the speed camera captures them speeding. After that, there will be an escalating fine structure that will start at 10 mph over the speed limit and max out at $100. There will be no points or insurance impacts resulting from a citation.
“The goal of the speed-camera pilot program is to improve the safety of our roads, protect pedestrians and motorists and prevent accidents,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeff McKay (D). “This program, in coordination with the police department and Fairfax County Public Schools, is a critical tool to deter dangerous behavior and ultimately save lives. As you drive in our neighborhoods and school zones, the message is clear: Please take a moment to slow down.”
County police have installed speed cameras in these locations:
• Chesterbrook Elementary School: Kirby Road near the school (Dranesville District).
• Irving Middle School: Old Keene Mill Road near the school (Braddock District).
• Key Middle School: Franconia Road near the school (Franconia District).
• London Towne Elementary School: Stone Road near the school (Sully District).
• Sleepy Hollow Elementary School: Sleepy Hollow Road near the school (Mason District).
• South County Middle School: Silverbrook Road near the school (Mount Vernon District).
• Terraset Elementary School: Soapstone Drive near the school (Hunter Mill District).
• West Springfield High School: Rolling Road near the school (Springfield District).
An additional school-zone speed camera near Oakton High School (Blake Lane near Sutton Road) and a work-zone speed camera at Route 28 (near Old Mill Road) will be forthcoming, officials said.
“We continue to see motorists traveling at speeds well above the posted speed limit and too many crashes are occurring in our county as a result,” said Fairfax County Police Chief Kevin Davis. “This program provides a great tool to help reduce speed, deter pedestrian crashes and keep our communities safe.”
