Speed limits will begin to be monitored in Arlington school zones next month, more than two years after officials approved the installation of cameras.
According to a county press release, the 10 cameras will be operational starting Sept. 25 and owners of speeding vehicles will be fined $100 per violation. The cameras will be activated at the start and end of school when the school zone lights flash to indicate a 20 mph speed limit.
New technology that will capture photos and videos of apparent violations for investigation by Arlington County Police will be installed at the following locations:
Northbound, 1300 block of N. Kirkwood Road Westbound, 5800 block of Wilson Boulevard Southbound, 400 block of N. George Mason Drive Southbound, 600 block of S. Carlin Springs Road Southbound, S. Carlin Springs Road unit block Southbound, 1900 block of S. George Mason Drive Northbound, 1900 block of S. George Mason Drive Southbound, 1200 block of S. George Mason Drive Eastbound, 4500 block of Washington Boulevard Eastbound, 5200 block of Yorktown Boulevard
Signs will be installed 1,000 feet in front of each camera, and a warning period to raise awareness of the new equipment will begin Aug. 26.
Back to school is almost here! Arlington County has installed 10 new School Zone Speed Safety Cameras to deter speeding and improve school zone safety. Details: https://t.co/WO4ayZ51UA pic.twitter.com/wkPnVBiMQr
— Arlington County Police Department (@ArlingtonVaPD) August 14, 2024
The Arlington County Commission approved the installation of speed cameras in school and work areas in January 2022 following the passage of a law allowing Virginia municipalities to install them.
The county originally hoped to install the cameras in late 2022 or early 2023, but plans have faced repeated delays.
The county selected the locations for the 10 cameras based on factors including speed differentials, accident history, vehicle volume and equity-focused areas, Vice Chairman Takis Karantonis said at a county commission meeting in June. Eight more cameras are scheduled to be installed in January 2025, he said.
“You know, this isn’t about making money,” Karantonis said. “What we want is for drivers to understand they need to slow down and drive safely, especially in school zones.”
In 2022, county commission members hailed the cameras in their Vision Zero campaign as a tool to protect children and reduce serious accidents and fatalities, while also minimizing race- and ethnic-based disparities in traffic enforcement and easing the burden on overworked ACPD officers.
In addition to the speed cameras, new red light enforcement cameras are scheduled to begin operation at four intersections in Arlington starting September 1st.
