New Alexandria Speed Cameras Get Warning Period Before Launch Next School Year

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Warnings are starting to be issued Tuesday for three new speed camera locations in Alexandria school zones.

Alexandria Transportation & Environmental Services announced the speed cameras will issue warnings from May 30 to the end of the 2022-2023 school year, which is June 15 for Alexandria City Public Schools.

The three speed cameras in school zones will cover four schools — Francis C. Hammond Middle School on Seminary Road between Kenmore Avenue and North Jordan Street; John Adams Elementary School and Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School on North Beauregard Street between North Highview Lane and Reading Avenue; and George Washington Middle School on Mount Vernon Avenue between Braddock Road and Luray Avenue. These streets have a 15 mph speed limit when school zones are active.

While speed cameras are not expected to be in effect during summer months, the city expects to officially launch the speed camera program with citations for the 2023-24 school year. A speeding violation recorded by a speed camera in a school zone could result in a $100 fine. Violations would be confirmed by a law enforcement officer checking the device, and citations would be mailed to the registered vehicle owner.

In October 2022, Alexandria City Council unanimously approved an ordinance allowing speed cameras in school zones and highway work zones as allowed by 2020 Virginia legislation. City government cited the effectiveness of speed cameras at reducing speeding violations, according to the city's speed camera web page. Speed cameras are one of the initiatives in the city’s Vision Zero plan to eliminate fatal and severe crashes by 2028.

According to the city government, speed camera locations were chosen based on "factors such as crash history, traffic volumes, vehicle speeds, and age and number of students."