Monday, September 16, 2024 — The City of Falls Church launched its inaugural School Zone Speed Safety Program today, Monday, September 16, 2024, with a new speed safety camera on the 800 block of West Broad Street (Rt. 7) within the designated school zone of Saint James Catholic School. The purpose of this new transportation safety tool is to protect students as they go to and from school, slow motorists down by changing driver behavior, and reduce the number of violations, crashes, and injuries caused by motorists speeding.
Speed safety cameras are operational with the 20 MPH speed limit when the Saint James Catholic School Zone lights are flashing during school arrival and departure. The automated speed cameras take digital images and video footage of vehicles traveling more than the posted speed limit. Warning signs are posted 1,000 feet in advance of each speed safety camera.
A warning period starts today, Monday, September 16, 2024, and runs through Friday, October 25, 2024, to allow drivers a chance to adjust to the new enforcement method. At the conclusion of the warning period, vehicles exceeding the posted speed limit while the speed safety cameras are active will be issued a $100 citation (civil fine) per speeding violation. A sworn law enforcement officer with the City of Falls Church will review the footage of all potential speed violations captured by the photo enforcement system. Confirmed violations will be issued a speeding citation via mail to the owner, lessee, or renter of the vehicle as determined by the license plate.
In 2020, the Commonwealth of Virginia enacted legislation authorizing the use of automated speed enforcement (speed cameras) in school and work zones. City of Falls Church staff assessed school zones within the City limits to identify viable locations to deploy this technology. The Saint James Catholic School Zone met key criteria necessary for a speed safety camera program, including Virginia state code requirements, significant vehicular and pedestrian traffic, and ideal street topography.
For more information about the School Zone Speed Safety Program, visit fallschurchva.gov/speed-
