School Speed Zone Camera Enforcement Program: Automated Monitoring Puts the Brakes on Dangerous Driving

You are driving to work or picking up your morning coffee. As you enter the school zone, you’re surrounded by others doing the same. A car suddenly darts past you, speeding through the 25 mph school zone and putting students, pedestrians and other drivers at risk. In the past, that driver might have gone unnoticed. With new automated cameras coming soon to Virginia Beach school zones, that’s no longer the case.

The School Speed Zone Camera Enforcement Program focuses on protecting students and pedestrians by encouraging safer driving in school zones.

The City of Virginia Beach Police and Public Works departments in partnership with Altumint, a third party, have installed automated cameras in some school zones that will be activated in February (weather permitting). Drivers violating the speed limit will be mailed a ticket and fine, after an initial 30-day warning period.

The goal of this program is to promote changes in driving behaviors and raise awareness on the impacts of speed-related crashes in school zones, work areas and residential communities.

Why is this program important?

With students in school across the city, residents driving in school zones and pedestrians walking near school divisions, it’s important to ensure drivers stay alert and follow the speed limit. Precautions drivers are expected to take include stopping at red lights, slowing down when entering school zones and keeping an eye out for children crossing the road.

Speeding in certain conditions makes it challenging for drivers to steer safely around difficult curves or avoid objects in the roadway. With this in mind, it’s even more essential to drive smart and be conscious of speed limits.

Citation and accident statistics residents should know

• Drivers traveling at high speeds is an alarming issue in Virginia Beach, including in school zones.
• In the beginning of 2023, Virginia Beach Police issued 366 citations related to speeding in Virginia Beach school zones. This is compared to 374 citations in 2022, 203 in 2021, and 1,076 in 2019.
• From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday, crashes in school zones were documented at 48 in 2022, 29 in 2021, 35 in 2020 and 42 in 2019, according to research from the Virginia Beach Public Works Traffic Engineering Division.
• Speeding also contributed to nearly 29% of vehicle crash fatalities in the United States in 2023, according to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration.

What will happen to speeding drivers?

• Automated cameras will monitor the speed of vehicles as they pass through school zones.
• Photos and video footage will be taken to identify vehicles operating at speeds above the posted limit.
• Date, time and location for the violation, in addition to the speed and license plate, are documented.
• Once identified through a license plate, the driver will be mailed a citation with information about the violation.

Camera monitoring at Virginia Beach school zones

Camera monitoring will be implemented at these school zones first:

• Red Mill Elementary School
• Centerville Elementary School
• Great Neck Middle School/John B. Dey Elementary School

Camera monitoring installed later this year:

• Seatack Elementary School/Birdneck Elementary School
• Woodstock Elementary School
• Salem Middle/High School
• North Landing Elementary School/Technical and Career Education campus

Camera monitoring scheduled for the 2026-2027 school year:

• Creeds Elementary School
• New Castle Elementary School
• Bayside Middle School/Bettie F. Williams Elementary School
• Brookwood Elementary School
• Rosemont Elementary School
• Hermitage Elementary School
• Holland Elementary School

Key details about citations

• “Photo enforced” signs will be placed on speed limit signs in these areas alerting drivers to watch their speed and slow down.
• Enforcement happens when schools are in session, including when children enter and leave the building. Flashing lights in school zones indicate that the cameras are actively monitoring vehicle speeds.
  • Warning Period: first 30 days after camera installed, violators will receive warning notices.
  • Violations after this period will be issued citations. Violations will incur a $100 fine per offense.
• Photo speed violations are zero-point traffic infractions and will not be added to driving records.

These cameras help keep students, residents and visitors safe. Protect every life on the road by driving cautiously and under the speed limit in school zones.

For more information, visit VirginiaBeach.gov/SafeSchoolZones.

• School Speed Zone Camera Enforcement Program