CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – The warning period is over, and City Police have begun issuing citations to speed violators zipping by the speed cameras while school zones are active at three Charlottesville schools. CCPS has distributed to parents and community members through Parent Square an advisory that “starting September 8, violators who speed 11 m.p.h. over the posted speed limit through a school zone during enforcement hours will be issued a $50 fine”.

According to the city website, “The photo speed monitoring systems are set up with sophisticated radar equipment that monitors vehicle speeds as traffic approaches and passes the equipment. When a vehicle exceeds the threshold limit, a photograph is taken of the vehicle. A second photograph is taken as the vehicle passes the detection zone to record the vehicle’s license plate. The date, time, speed, and location of the infraction are recorded on the digital image. The Charlottesville Police Department reviews each suspected violation before a summons is issued. The summons will contain images of the vehicle and a close-up of the license plate. ”

The cameras do not photograph the driver. ” It is a civil citation holding the registered owner or lessee responsible for the violation”, thus no need to photograph the driver.

The cameras are active right now at three schools: Charlottesville Middle (formerly Buford), Tall Oaks Elementary (formerly Johnson), and Summit Elementary (formerly Clark). The active school zone times are 7:30 a.m-to-8:30 a.m. and 2-to-3 p.m. at Summit and Tall Oaks, and 8-to-9 a.m. and 2:45- to- 3:45 p.m. at CMS.

City leadership in the reason for these cameras noted, “We urge all drivers to be vigilant and responsible. This program is a proven effective tool for changing driver behavior and reducing dangerous driving that poses a significant risk to our students. Our collective responsibility is to protect our students’ and staff’s lives and ensure their safe journey to and from school.”

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