Cameras Catch 3,420 Drivers Speeding in Fairfax City School Zones In January

FAIRFAX CITY, VA — City of Fairfax Police issued 3,420 warnings during the month of January to drivers caught by city speed enforcement cameras.

The Virginia General Assembly enacted new legislation during its 2020 session to allow localities limited speed enforcement authority.

Following a March 9 public hearing, the Fairfax City Council adopted a new section of the City Code to allow monitoring devices in highway work zones and at school crossing zones. Cameras were installed on Jermantown Road, Old Lee Highway and Fairfax Boulevard to create speed zones around the city's four schools, as well as Frost Middle and Woodson High school in Fairfax County.

When the city first activated the cameras on Nov. 1, drivers were given a 30-day grace period to get used to the cameras. The grace period was later extended through the end of the year.

Sgt. Lisa Gardner, a public information officer with city police, said warnings were still being given to speeding drivers as of Wednesday.

The enabling legislation allows law enforcement officers to issue citations with fines up to $100 to anyone who exceeds the school zone or active work zone speed limit by 10 miles per hour or more. Drivers who are photographed exceeding the speed limit in December will receive a warning citation.