Speed Cameras In School Zones Eyed For 2023 Pilot In Fairfax County

FAIRFAX COUNTY, VA — Later this year, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors could consider a speed camera pilot program in some school zones and a work zone.

A presentation on the proposed pilot program was given to the Board of Supervisors' Public Safety Committee Tuesday. Under the proposed program, there would be nine cameras in school zones and one in a work zone (Route 28) over the first six months of fiscal year 2023. Specific locations for the school zone cameras were not discussed during the presentation, but Route 28 was suggested for the work zone speed camera.

The authority for state and local law enforcement to add speed monitoring cameras comes under 2020 Virginia legislation. The legislation states a driver 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. A violation from a monitoring devices cannot add points to a driver's license record.

The proposed ordinance suggests different civil penalties for different speeds. A $50 civil penalty would be associated with speeds 10 to 14 mph over the speed limit, $75 for speeds 15 to 19 mph over the speed limit and $100 for speeds 20 mph or more over the speed limit.

Officials said the program would not be about making revenue but rather seeking to change behaviors on speeding in school zones. The state legislation allowing speed monitoring devices requires signage within 1,000 feet of the device to warn drivers.

"We're not trying to entrap people. What we're trying to do is maintain or gain voluntary compliance," said Capt. Alan Hanson, commander of the Traffic Division at the Fairfax County Police Department at the committee meeting. "So it shouldn't be a surprise, but again, it's a tool by which to assist with safety."

A recent speed enforcement pilot near five schools found a portion of vehicles speeding during selected morning and afternoon times, according to a presentation to the board committee. For example, 94.74 percent of 4,299 vehicles on Old Keene Mill Road in front of Irving Middle School in West Springfield were going 10 mph or more over the speed limit from Dec. 6 to 9, 2021 from 7 a.m. to 7:45 a.m. The average speed of vehicles during that time period was 32.9 mph.

At Bonnie Brae Elementary in Burke (Roberts Road and Nellie White Lane), 43.23 percent of 1,411 vehicles were going 10 mph or more over the speed limit on March 18 to 25, 2021 between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

The highest average speed was 36.5 mph from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Silverbrook Road in front of South County High School from Dec. 6 to 9, 2021.

For the pilot program phase, the police department could use light duty officers to access the devices remotely and approve the citations. According to the presentation, an expansion of the pilot program beyond the six months through fiscal year 2024 would cost $1,800,000 annually for operations of 50 cameras plus $918,199 for four police positions to staff the program. A second phase with 80 total cameras would cost $2,880,000 for camera operations annually and $918,199 for the police staffing. Those costs are based on a $3,000 per camera per month estimate.

Under the state legislation, the civil penalty revenue goes to the locality if issued by its local law enforcement. Dranesville District Supervisor John Foust suggested revenue support pedestrian and bicyclist safety improvements near schools.

The proposed ordinance is expected to be on the Nov. 1 Board of Supervisors agenda to advertise a public hearing. That public hearing would be scheduled for Dec. 6 with the board voting on adoption of the ordinance.