Majority Support Alexandria School Zone Speed Cameras In Survey

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Speed cameras in Alexandria school zones got support from a majority in a Patch survey. On Saturday, Alexandria City Council unanimously approved an ordinance allowing speed cameras in school zones and highway work zones as allowed by state legislation, setting the stage for a 2023 launch in some school zones.

We surveyed readers due to City Council's consideration of a speed camera program. Virginia legislation approved in 2020 allows localities to add speed monitoring cameras in school zones and highway work zones. A driver found traveling at speeds 10 or more above the highway work zone or school crossing zone speed limit by a monitoring device could get a civil penalty up to $100 but not points to a driving record. Violations would be confirmed by a law enforcement officer checking the device.

The speed camera program will initially include five cameras in school zones. Exact locations of speed cameras have not yet been finalized, but the program is expected to launch in early 2023. A map of school zones is available here.

"The locations will be selected through a data-driven process that considers vehicle speeds, traffic volumes, number of students walking to school, equity, and other factors," the city states on its speed camera program web page.

In our survey, 171 readers responded between last Tuesday and Sunday. There were 59.6 percent who expressed support for speed cameras in school zones, while 38.6 percent said they do not support speed cameras in school zones. The remaining 1.8 percent were undecided.

Even more respondents indicated safety is a concern for students. In our survey, 69 percent said safety is a concern for students walking to and from school. Another 23.4 percent said safety was not a concern, and 7.6 percent were undecided.

Mike Doyle, a representative of Alexandria Families for Safe Streets, was the only public commenter testifying at Saturday's City Council meeting. Doyle spoke about the importance of reducing the concern of speeding, highlighting a map of near-miss crashes tracked by community members around Alexandria.

"You'll see a high correlation to where many of the schools are and where near-misses are happening," said Doyle.

Doyle believes speed cameras are a cost-effective way to reduce speeding. He said statistics show most drivers change behaviors after receiving a speeding ticket.

We also asked for feedback in our survey. For those who supported school zone speed cameras, we asked for school zone locations they would like to see speed cameras in.

Some of these answers included:

• All school zones
• No school zones
• Francis C. Hammond Middle School
• Mount Vernon Community School
• Patrick Henry K-8 School
• George Washington Middle School
• Alexandria City High School and Minnie Howard Campus
• James K. Polk Elementary School
• Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy
• Jefferson-Houston PreK-8 IB School
• Charles Barrett Elementary School
• The Basilica School of Saint Mary
• Grace Episcopal School
• Blessed Sacrament School
• Cora Kelly School for Math, Science and Technology
• Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School
• Episcopal High School
• Near elementary schools
• Braddock Road
• Seminary Road
• Beauregard Street
• West Street near school
• Monroe Avenue
• Glebe and Russell Roads
• Southbound Route 1 near Wilkes Street and the Capital Beltway

Some opposed residents also shared feedback explaining their positions. One survey respondent opposed to speed cameras said a 15 mph school zone speed limit is difficult for drivers to maintain.

"If, however, the School Zone speed limits were raised back to the original 20 MPH or 25 MPH, I would be in favor of the School Zone Speed Cameras," the respondent wrote.

We also asked respondents where they've seen speeding violations in school zones or beyond.

Multiple residents shared concerns about Patrick and Henry Streets, including a section of Patrick Street leading to the Capital Beltway.

"South Patrick Expressway: 3 lanes of full-out NASCAR aggression to exit onto 495," one respondent shared.

"Speed cameras or photo cameras at lights would make a big difference on these streets," another respondent wrote.

In the southwest quadrant of Old Town, one respondent supports speed cameras in all school zones. The respondent has noted speeding violations on Washington Street and Route 1 and believes there should be more speeding enforcement on these streets.

There were also multiple concerns shared around Francis C. Hammond Middle School.

"FC Hammond, where my child walks to and from school. Cars do not slow down. There are no crossing guards," one respondent shared.

Multiple residents in the Del Ray neighborhood had concerns about speeding on Mount Vernon Avenue and would like speed cameras near George Washington Middle School and Mount Vernon Community School.

A Seminary Ridge resident wants to see speed cameras on Braddock Road between Van Dorn and King Streets, where speeding concerns have been seen. The respondent would also like "slow down" signs to be shared.

Neighborhood streets were cited as a concern for some. In the Braddock neighborhood, a respondent said speeding is a concern on Powhatan Street, a cut through between Route 1 and Washington Street.

A respondent in Seminary Valley has observed speeding violations in front of their own home.

"Speeding is a serious problem, not only in school zones but also throughout Alexandria. This issue must be addressed," the respondent wrote.

Other locations where speeding concerns have been observed are:

• Taney Avenue and Polk Avenue
• Monroe Avenue and Leslie Avenue
• Around Alexandria City High School
• N. Garland St near St. Stephen's and St. Agnes School
• Glebe and Russell Roads
• W. Braddock Road between Russell Road and Commonwealth Avenue
• Fayette and N. Peyton Streets, Pendleton and Prince Streets
• Duke Street
• Braddock Road near Minnie Howard Campus
• S. St. Asaph Street near Lyles-Crouch Traditional Academy
• Quaker Lane north of King Street and Braddock Road
• Capital Beltway
• Seminary Road, Pegram Street near Taney Avenue
• King Street
• Near Blessed Sacrament School
• Beverley Hills neighborhood
• Russell Road and Commonwealth Avenues
• Near Naomi L. Brooks Elementary School
• Kennedy Street near Mount Vernon Avenue and Hickory Street
• Residential areas of Sunset Manor off Seminary Road

Aside from speed cameras, respondent suggested other methods to improve safety in school zones, such as speed bumps, more crossing guards, more police presence and right-turn-on-red restrictions.

Some respondents who were opposed to speed cameras do not believe they should replace direct police enforcement or additional crossing guards. Another respondent said other methods will help calm traffic.

"Speed cameras only punish after the car has sped up and will only deter some people," the respondent wrote. "Speed bumps, adding stop signs and making the roads narrower are better ways of ensuring the public slows down."

Check the speed camera program web page for updates on the program launch in Alexandria.