Arlington County is launching a new PhotoSPEED program to reduce speeding in school zones. Starting in the 2024-2025 school year, ten new speed cameras will be installed at locations like N. Kirkwood Road and Wilson Boulevard, where the speed limit drops to 20 MPH when the lights on the signs flash. The program aims to make roads safer for students, according to Arlington County official website.
The implementation will go through an initial phase meant to familiarize drivers with the system, featuring a warning period from August 26 to September 24, during which no fines will be imposed while afterward, starting September 25, identified speed violators will face a $100 fine per infraction which will serve as a civil deterrent to neglectful driving habits, this according to details expressed in the Arlington County's news release. The chosen spots for these cameras are part of a strategic selection under the County’s Vision Zero effort, a safety plan aimed at zero traffic fatalities.
The PhotoSPEED program will use cameras to capture videos and images of cars that exceed speed limits during school hours. A contracted firm will review the footage, and an officer from the Arlington County Police Department will verify any violations before issuing tickets. Arlington County officials hope this system will not only enforce the rules but also remind drivers to be more careful around school zones.
This program is based on a 2020 state law allowing speed cameras in school and work zones. Arlington County started planning the initiative in January 2022 when the County Board added it to the County Code. It expands the County's Automated Safety Enforcement Program and supports the goal of making transportation safer. Officials from the Police Department and Department of Environmental Services will discuss the program with the media on Thursday, August 15, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the 400 block of N. George Mason Drive.
