The locations were chosen based on crash history, traffic volume, vehicle speeds as well as age and the number of students at the schools.
Alexandria is will start ticketing with speed cameras around four schools in September.
Speed cameras will be in the 15 mph school zones around:
Francis 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 locations were chosen based on crash history, traffic volume, vehicle speeds as well as age and the number of students at the schools.
Flashing beacons will notify drivers when the speed safety cameras are active.
City representatives say they’ve heard from parents that drivers are speeding too much around schools, and they believe the cameras will help deter the bad behavior. The city’s Vision Zero goal is to eliminate fatal and severe crashes by 2028.
“Speed cameras are a critical tool in improving traffic safety,” the city’s website says. “According to USDOT, speed cameras can reduce crashes by over 50%.
It also says “Speed cameras also free up traffic safety officers in the City to handle other duties and provide better enforcement coverage citywide.”
Alexandria used the cameras last spring as part of a pilot project. For this new program, a warning period begins on the first day of school, then starting Sept. 18, $100 fines will be sent to the address of the vehicle’s registration. The city has an appeal process.
Virginia approved speed cameras in 2020, with the stipulation that they are restricted to school and construction zones. Fairfax City and Arlington County have also installed speed cameras.