Fairfax County Police Propose Installing More Radar Devices in School Zones

Fairfax County police are recommending that the county move forward with plans to install more radar devices in school zones in the northern Virginia suburb, citing data showing a decrease in average speeds in most areas where radar devices were installed as part of a pilot program.

During a meeting of the Board of Supervisors’ safety committee on Tuesday, Deputy Police Chief Bob Blakley said the department proposes to begin the first phase of expanding the program, which would add 50 cameras at locations across the county that would be selected with input from Fairfax County Public Schools, he said.

The program was launched as a pilot in February 2023. Ten cameras have been installed across the county, and Blakley said they have proven effective in keeping areas around schools safe when dropping off and picking up children.

Since the state General Assembly gave them the authority to install cameras in school and work zones in 2020, local governments in Northern Virginia have been wrestling with whether and where to install speed cameras.

“The program is effective,” Blakely told board members. “It just reminds the community that there is a school zone. There are some additional signs indicating speed cameras, and it reminds all of us to obey the speed limit, which is our number one goal.”

From April 2023 to May 2024, more than 20,000 violations were recorded, according to county data. About 71% of those, Blakely said, involved driving 10 to 14 miles per hour over the speed limit.

Last school year, the camera near Francis Scott Key Middle School along Franconia Road eastbound captured nearly 7,000 speeders, more than any other pilot camera, according to data obtained by WTOP. The camera along Franconia Road westbound captured more than 3,000 speeders there.

The program, Blakely said, had some challenges. In some cases, the Winko-matic lights were not properly synchronized, causing some drivers to receive tickets even though the lights were not flashing.

State law requires a sworn police officer to review violations, but the pilot program did not create additional positions and in some cases, violations and citations were mailed separately, giving violators limited time to pay in advance.

Many of these issues have already been addressed, Blakely said, adding that the department does not expect similar challenges to arise as the program expands.

In the first phase of the expansion, 50 cameras would be installed within about five months, he said. About 10 cameras could be installed per month.

In the second phase, another 30 cameras will be added.

Compared to data collected after the pilot and earlier this year, average speeds have dropped in almost all areas with a camera, Blakely said.

Near London Towne Elementary in Centreville, average speeds dropped from over 36 miles per hour before the pilot program to 29.8 miles per hour in February.

The exception is near Terraset Elementary, where average speeds have increased.

Drivers who drive 10 to 14 miles per hour over the posted speed limit face a $50 fine. If they exceed the speed limit by 15 to 19 miles per hour, the fine is $75, and if they exceed the limit by 20 miles per hour or more, the fine is $100.

The county reported net sales of $400,000 this year, Blakely said.

Blakely said the speed camera program and a long-awaited initiative to add brake light cameras to 50 school buses in Fairfax County this fall should help keep students safe.

“Nobody should be speeding in a school zone,” said Dranesville County Supervisor James Bierman. “I don’t care, so don’t do it.”

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