School Zone Safety: Photo Speed Enforcement

Overview

Photo speed enforcement technology utilizes cameras in school zones that capture photographs of vehicles at the time of a speeding violation.
Prior speed assessments conducted in the Town of Blacksburg have revealed high rates of speeding in school zones, and concerns on this topic have been raised by citizens during past Traffic Committee meetings. Despite regular monitoring by the Blacksburg Police Department, limited resources prevent continuous, in-person monitoring of speeding in school zones.

Introducing photo speed enforcement technology supports BPD's efforts in monitoring speed limits, and improving the safety of school areas for students and community members. This technology is intended to be an additional safety measure, offering consistency to speed limit enforcement in school zones; BPD will also continue to monitor school zones in person.

Various localities in Virginia have previously incorporated photo speed enforcement technology into their school zone safety plans.

Town Council Action:

On June 11, Blacksburg Town Council passed Ordinance 2056 authorizing the use of speed enforcement cameras in town school zones with a vote of 7-0.

Once photo speed enforcement is operational in Blacksburg school zones this fall, a 30-day grace period of no ticketing will be implemented, to ensure drivers have time to adjust to the new system.

How Does Photo Speed Enforcement Work?

In areas where photo speed enforcement is used, signs are installed before the monitored zone to notify drivers. These signs incorporate flashing lights and display a vehicle's current speed. These measures allow sufficient time to decelerate to the posted speed limit before entering the monitored zone. The system provides drivers with an 11-mile-per-hour threshold over the school zone speed limit. Should drivers surpass this threshold, speed enforcement cameras capture an image of the vehicle's license plate, and the registered owner of the vehicle will receive a $100 citation in the mail.

Privacy

The state law governing photo speed enforcement provides that information about violations will not be available to the public and will be purged no later than 60 days after the civil penalty has been paid. See section (B) (7) of Virginia Code § 46.2-882.1. below:

§ 46.2-882.1. Use of photo speed monitoring devices in highway work zones and school crossing zones; civil penalty.

(B) 7. Information collected by a photo speed monitoring device operated pursuant to this section shall be limited exclusively to that information that is necessary for the enforcement of school crossing zone and highway work zone speeding violations. Information provided to the operator of a photo speed monitoring device shall be protected in a database and used only for enforcement against individuals who violate the provisions of this section or § 46.2-873 or 46.2-878.1. Notwithstanding any other provision of law, all photographs, microphotographs, videotapes, or other recorded images collected by a photo speed monitoring device shall be used exclusively for enforcing school crossing zone and highway work zone speed limits and shall not be (i) open to the public; (ii) sold or used for sales, solicitation, or marketing purposes; (iii) disclosed to any other entity except as may be necessary for the enforcement of school crossing zone and highway work zone speed limits or to a vehicle owner or operator as part of a challenge to the violation; or (iv) used in a court in a pending action or proceeding unless the action or proceeding relates to a violation of this section or § 46.2-873 or 46.2-878.1, or such information is requested upon order from a court of competent jurisdiction. Information collected under this section pertaining to a specific violation shall be purged and not retained later than 60 days after the collection of any civil penalties.

Community Comment and Review

The Blacksburg Police Department is reviewing private vendors to implement this technology and is open to citizen comments on the use of photo speed enforcement in Blacksburg school zones.

Do you have a question or comment about Photo Speed Enforcement in School Zones?

Please see responses to the most frequently asked questions in the FAQ section on the right-hand side of this project page. If you do not see an answer to your question or you would like to submit a comment, please submit it using the box below.