What is Automated Speed Enforcement?

Automated Speed Enforcement (also known as speed cameras) is a technological tool for enforcing the legal speed limit. Speed cameras may be fixed or portable, and are placed along the roadway to automatically record speed limit violations. After a sworn law-enforcement officer affirms the violation, a speeding citation is mailed to the owner, lessee, or renter of the vehicle as determined by the license plate.

Speed Camera Programs in the Region

In 2020, the Commonwealth of Virginia passed a law authorizing the use of speed cameras in school zones and work zones. Alexandria is joining several communities across Virginia in implementing a speed camera program, including Arlington County and the City of Fairfax. Speed cameras are also widely used in Washington, D.C. and Maryland.

Speed Camera Safety

Speed is a primary factor in how often crashes occur and how severe they are. The likelihood that a crash will kill or severely injure a person increases as speed increases. The City’s Vision Zero goal is to eliminate fatal and severe crashes by 2028, because no loss of human life is acceptable on our roadways.

Speed cameras are a critical tool in improving traffic safety. The U.S. Department of Transportation has identified speed cameras as a proven safety countermeasure. According to USDOT, speed cameras can reduce crashes by over 50%. Speed cameras also free up traffic safety officers in the City to handle other duties and provide better enforcement coverage citywide.

Speeding is a significant contributor to deaths on our roadways and is particularly hazardous to people walking, especially older adults and children:

Higher speeds increase a driver's reaction time and braking distance:

Higher speeds reduce a driver's field of vision:

Program Description

To support the City’s Vision Zero goals to increase traffic safety, the Alexandria City Council included funding for 5 speed cameras in school zones as part of the Fiscal Year 2023 City Budget. Speed cameras will be deployed in select school zones to reduce speeding violations near schools.

Program Timeline

Spring 2022: Budget Adoption
Summer 2022: Program Development
Fall 2022: Program Adoption
Early 2023: Program Launch

Speed Camera Locations

Five speed cameras will be deployed in select school zones, though exact locations are still to be determined. The locations will be selected through a data-driven process that considers vehicle speeds, traffic volumes, number of students walking to school, equity, and other factors.

When locations are selected, they will be published here. Any speed cameras that are installed will have advance signs to make drivers aware of the speed camera zone.

Fines for Violations

Per the Code of Virginia, the maximum fine for a speed camera violation is $100.