In an ongoing effort to temper the rush of traffic near our schools, Arlington County is expanding its School Zone Speed Safety Camera Program. With 10 cameras already operational, the county plans to add 8 more by January 6, 2025, just in time for the return from winter break. As reported by Arlington County's official newsroom, locations for the new cameras include the northbound side of N. George Mason Drive, N. Glebe Road, and others spread evenly across the school zones.
The upcoming speed safety cameras, making their home in eight additional strategic locations, commence with a month-long warning period slated from January 6 to February 4, 2025. Announced by Arlington County officials, the warning period serves to raise awareness, nudging drivers towards compliance with posted speed limits before tickets start rolling out on February 5. Speedsters beware; if caught when the school zone lights are aflash, the cameras are set to deliver a $100 civil fine per infraction.
According to Arlington's Vision Zero safety program, the PhotoSPEED locations were cherry-picked on the basis of safety data, ensuring that these cameras make their stand where they can contribute most effectively to community safety. Once installed, the county doesn't just forget them; they monitor and assess the impacts, tweaking the PhotoSPEED program as needed to maximize its potential in the ongoing fight for safer streets.
Getting down to the specifics, these cameras aren't vigilant round-the-clock but stand guard when school zone lights blink their cautionary tale during school arrivals and departures. An officer reviews the digital images and video footage that the contracted company first sifts through, as stated by official county statements. Violators captured by these electronic sentinels will find $100 tickets making their way to the registered owners of the speeding vehicles.
Launched at the start of the 2024-2025 academic year, Arlington's PhotoSPEED program is part of a broader initiative under the Automated Safety Enforcement Program, propelling the county towards a no severe injuries or fatalities goal by 2030. With 10,721 speeding tickets issued in just two months after the conclusion of the original warning period, it's clear that Arlington means business when it comes to the safety of its young scholars.
More information on the county's safety initiatives, including maps, safety data, and ways the community can engage with Vision Zero, can be found on Arlington County's dedicated Vision Zero webpage.
