Speed Camera Pilot Program

A morning drive sample analysis by the pilot work group indicated that speeding in school zones is prevalent:

• Nearly 95% of drivers in the school zone at Springfield’s Irving Middle School and more than 40% of drivers in the school zone at Bonnie Brae Elementary School were traveling 10 mph or more above the speed limit. 
   
• In the five school zones surveyed, hundreds and sometimes thousands of drivers exceeded the speed limit by more than 10 mph.

From the newly adopted Fairfax County Ordinance 82-2-9:

The operator of a vehicle shall be liable for a monetary civil penalty imposed pursuant to Va. Code § 46.2-882.1 if such vehicle is found, as evidenced by information obtained from a photo speed monitoring device, to be traveling at speeds of at least 10 miles per hour above the posted school crossing zone or highway work zone speed limit within such school crossing zone or highway work zone, while such zone is active.

There are no points or insurance impacts resulting from a citation. An escalating fine structure, starting at 10 mph over the limit, maxes out at $100. Such civil penalties will be imposed on a graduated basis: $50 for 10-14 mph above the posted speed limit; $75 for 15-19 mph above the posted speed limit; $100 for 20+ mph above the posted speed limit.

Pilot program costs include an estimated $3,000 per camera per month plus associated equipment and signage.

• The pilot would be managed by existing police department staff assigned to light duty detail.

At full implementation, the county’s photo speed enforcement program would cost an estimated $3.8 million annually, including staff and equipment. 

• That estimate doesn’t factor in fines that would help offset costs.
• It is anticipated that administration of the full program would require four additional positions within the police department.