School zone speeding enforcement cameras will be placed in several York County locations in late August with full implementation a month later.
The York-Poquoson Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday in a news release that $100 citations will be given to drivers caught exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 mph in the designated school zones. The 30-day warning period — to help drivers adjust to enforcement — will start Aug. 26,the first day of school.
According to the release, the sheriff’s office installed trial cameras at five schools last year after receiving complaints about speeding. Over five days, the cameras showed that more than 3,700 vehicles exceeded speed limits by more than 10 mph.
The York County School Division supports the program and Superintendent Victor Shandor said it will help keep students safe. Cameras will be placed at Bruton High School, Dare Elementary, Grafton Bethel Elementary School, Seaford Elementary, Tabb Elementary and York High School.
Other Hampton Roads cities, including Chesapeake and Suffolk, already use speed cameras in some areas. The use in those cities led to a lawsuit from a Virginia Beach attorney and former delegate who questioned the legality of the citation process. Hampton will begin using red-light cameras this month and will pilot speeding cameras in some school zones.
According to a statement from Altumint, the company providing the camera systems, similar programs across Virginia have led to a 75% decrease in speed violations within three months.
Nour Habib, [email protected]
