Speed Camera Pilot Program
Following the six-month, 10-camera pilot, countywide photo speed enforcement would be implemented in two phases:
- Phase 1, in FY 2024, would include 50 photo speed enforcement cameras distributed between school and work zones.
- Phase 2, in FY 2025, would add 30 cameras for school zones.
Fines Begin April 10, 2023
For the first 60 days of the pilot program, motorists will receive only a warning if the speed camera captures them speeding.
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.
School Zone Speed Cameras:
- Chesterbrook Elementary School: Kirby Road near the school (Dranesville District)
- Irving Middle School: Old Keene Mill Road near the school (Braddock District)
- Key Middle School: Franconia Road near the school (Franconia District)
- London Towne Elementary School: Stone Road near the school (Sully District)
- Sleepy Hollow Elementary School: Sleepy Hollow Road near the school (Mason District)
- South County Middle School: Silverbrook Road near the school (Mt. Vernon District)
- Terraset Elementary School: Soapstone Road near the school (Hunter Mill District)
- West Springfield High School: Rolling Road near the school (Springfield District)
An additional school zone speed camera near Oakton High School and a work zone speed camera at Route 28 are forthcoming.
- Focus on Safety
- School Zone Speeding Study
- Speed Camera Ordinance
- Program Cost
Studies indicate that speed camera enforcement is effective in improving safety by reducing speeding, accidents and injuries.
CHAIRMAN MCKAY:
“The goal of the Speed Camera Pilot program is to improve the safety of our roads, protect pedestrians and motorists and prevent accidents,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “This program, in coordination with the Police Department and Fairfax County Public Schools, is a critical tool to deter dangerous behavior and ultimately save lives. As you drive in our neighborhoods and school zones—the message is clear, please take a moment to slow down.”
CHIEF DAVIS:
“We continue to see motorists traveling at speeds well above the posted speed limit and too many crashes are occurring in our county as a result. This program provides a great tool to help reduce speed, deter pedestrian crashes, and keep our communities safe, said Chief of Police, Kevin Davis.
Studies indicate that speed camera enforcement is effective in improving safety by reducing speeding, accidents and injuries.
CHAIRMAN MCKAY:
“The goal of the Speed Camera Pilot program is to improve the safety of our roads, protect pedestrians and motorists and prevent accidents,” said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey C. McKay. “This program, in coordination with the Police Department and Fairfax County Public Schools, is a critical tool to deter dangerous behavior and ultimately save lives. As you drive in our neighborhoods and school zones—the message is clear, please take a moment to slow down.”
CHIEF DAVIS:
“We continue to see motorists traveling at speeds well above the posted speed limit and too many crashes are occurring in our county as a result. This program provides a great tool to help reduce speed, deter pedestrian crashes, and keep our communities safe, said Chief of Police, Kevin Davis.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Pedestrian Safety Resources
Take a moment. Whether you are walking, biking or driving, keep in mind that safety is a two-way street and is everyone’s job.
Every year, the number of pedestrian and bicycle related fatalities and injuries continues to rise at an unacceptable rate. Fairfax County is committed to enhancing pedestrian, bicycle and traffic safety by implementing a multi-faceted plan to reduce and ultimately eliminate traffic-related deaths and injuries.
- Transportation Projects, Studies and Plans provides an overview of projects, studies and regional efforts for enhancing mobility and safety.
- Active Transportation Program works in coordination with county and state agencies to improve transportation infrastructure and encourage safe and active ways to move around Fairfax County.
- Crosswalk Improvement and Maintenance Projects provides information on the crosswalk projects, trail and sidewalk maintenance and speed display signs.
- Pedestrian Projects highlights Fairfax County’s Department of Transportation pedestrian initiatives to increase pedestrian safety, accessibility and mobility.
- Safe Routes to School provide transportation options and routes to encourage students and families to get to school safely.
Countywide Strategy: Mobility and Transportation
Mobility and Transportation is one of the 10 Community Outcome Areas within the Countywide Strategic Plan and one of the of the success indicators is to improve traveler safety is developing and implementing a multi-faceted plan to reduce and ultimately eliminate traffic-related deaths and injuries.
