Alexandria will add three new school zone speed camera locations this fall, bringing the total number of monitored zones to six as the city works toward its Vision Zero goal of eliminating fatal and severe crashes by 2028.
The new cameras were installed at Alexandria City High School’s King Street campus on King Street between Quaker Lane and Scroggins Road, the school’s Minnie Howard campus on Braddock Road between Marlee Way and Marlboro Drive, and William Ramsay Elementary School on North Beauregard Street between North Morgan Street and Roanoke Avenue.
The cameras will begin a 30-day warning period Monday and will start issuing citations Nov. 3, according to the city’s website updated Wednesday.
Three existing camera locations will continue operating at Francis Hammond Middle School on Seminary Road, John Adams Elementary and Ferdinand T. Day Elementary schools on North Beauregard Street, and George Washington Middle School on Mount Vernon Avenue.
New locations:
- Alexandria City High School – King Street Campus (King Street, between Quaker Lane and Scroggins Road)
- Alexandria City High School – Minnie Howard Campus (Braddock Road, between Marlee Way and Marlboro Drive)
- William Ramsay Elementary School – North Beauregard Street, between North Morgan Street and Roanoke Avenue
Existing locations:
- Francis Hammond Middle School – Seminary Road, between Kenmore Avenue and North Jordan Street
- John Adams Elementary School and Ferdinand T. Day Elementary School – North Beauregard Street, between North Highview Lane and Reading Avenue
- George Washington Middle School – Mount Vernon Avenue, between Braddock Road and Luray Avenue
Alexandria City Council approved the speed camera program as part of the fiscal year 2023 budget. The city selected locations using data on crash history, traffic volumes, vehicle speeds, and student demographics, working with Alexandria City Public Schools, police, and transportation officials.
Each school zone spans approximately one-quarter mile and has a 15 mph speed limit when school signs are flashing. The cameras will also enforce midday speed limits at both Alexandria City High School campuses during student transitions between locations.
Speed cameras can reduce crashes by more than 50%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The automated enforcement allows police to focus resources on other priorities while providing better citywide coverage, city officials said.
Violations are not considered moving violations and do not add points to driving records or affect insurance rates. Citations carry a maximum fine of $100 under state law and are mailed to vehicle owners after a sworn officer reviews violations captured by radar technology.
Clear signage and flashing beacons notify drivers when they enter speed camera zones and when cameras are active.
Alexandria joins Arlington County, Fairfax County, and the City of Fairfax in implementing speed cameras after Virginia authorized their use in school zones and work zones in 2020.
More information about Alexandria’s speed camera program is available at alexandriava.gov/go/3785.
