New Arlington school speed zone cameras begin ticketing
you want to keep $100 in your pocket, watch your speed around new school zone cameras in Arlington.
Dozens of the devices are now monitoring drivers in school zones around the county.
Those who have driven through the area might have noticed the amount of school zone speed cameras that have been put in place — 10 additional locations for this school year alone, bringing the total number of speed cameras to 35.
A report by the Virginia State police showed that last year, Arlington County police issued 47,914 school zone speed camera tickets.
Of those 36,153 were successfully upheld, totaling in over $3.6 million in fines.
The cameras are only active at school arrival and dismissal, and drivers will know because the speed limit sign is flashing. And Arlington police said drivers have to be going 11 miles per hour over the speed limit to get a ticket.
Arlington leaders said the devices are changing driving behavior in a positive way.
“Overall within the first year, we saw about a 16% decrease in driver speed, and it keeps going down each year because drivers become more familiar with the cameras,” said Christine Baker, Arlington Vision Zero program manager.
And she said crashes in these locations are down 40%.
Some of these cameras can also be moved around the county if it’s deemed necessary.
There’s no shortage of opinions on the topic.
“I’m not a fan. I’m not a fan of those or the flock cameras,” said Chris Moore.
She said she has lived in Arlington for over 20 years.
“Oh, well it’s a money maker. It’s a money maker for the county,” Moore said. “People who are speeding just know they are there. It’s kind of like the tunnel on K Street – everybody just slams on their brakes so they don’t get the ticket, so it’s not very safe.”
Another resident, Anastasia, was walking near the newest camera on Veitch Street in Court house and told News4 she is in favor of the devices.
“Well it’s always good to have someone who would see and have evidence about how it’s going,” she said.
