FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. — A pilot program to install 10 speed cameras in Fairfax County was approved by the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors Tuesday night. The six-month pilot program includes the installation of cameras in nine school zones and one construction zone in early 2023.
The county says there would be an escalating fine structure, starting at 10mph over the limit, that maxes out at $100. There would be no points or insurance impacts resulting from a citation.
"This pilot program has one goal: to improve the safety of our roads," said Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay. "These cameras will help to protect pedestrians, especially around some of our most congested and vulnerable locations. We do not want revenue from this program. Instead, we are looking forward to seeing how it enhances safety."
Fairfax County says an analysis by the pilot work group shows that speeding in school zones is prevalent. Their analysis found that 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 during a morning drive sample period last year. In the five school zones surveyed, hundreds, and sometimes thousands, of drivers exceeded the speed limit by more than 10 mph during the sample period.
Speed camera locations would be identified with signs, per state code, placed within 1,000 feet of each camera. The locations would also be posted on the county's website.
"We're not trying to trap people," said Captain Alan Hanson, commander of the Fairfax County Police Department Traffic Division.
The pilot would be managed by existing police department staff assigned to light duty detail. Following the pilot program, countywide photo speed enforcement would be in implemented in two phases.
The first phase would include adding 50 photo speed enforcement cameras distributed between work and school zones. Phase two, in 2025, would include the addition of 30 cameras for school zones.
The administration of the program would require four additional positions within the police department.
Fairfax County says the program costs include an estimated $3,000 per camera, per month, plus associated equipment and signage. Altogether, Fairfax County says 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, which they say would help offset costs.