Angelica Ramos
Contributing Writer
BLACKSBURG- The Blacksburg Town Council has approved the use of photo speed monitoring devices in Blacksburg school crossing zones.
Ordinance 2056 was voted on and approved by the Blacksburg Town Council at its Tuesday, June 11, 2024 meeting, permitting the use of photo speed monitoring devices in school crossing zones. The photo monitoring devices would be put in place to help with the speeding in school zones. The average officer traffic stop takes 10 -15 minutes to complete and hand out a ticket, but that does not catch everyone who speeds in these zones because there are a limited number of officers available, and residents may still speed past officers when they are performing a traffic stop.
Virginia state code 46.2-882.1 was adopted in 2020 which allows the use of photo speed monitoring devices in school crossing zones and highway work zones. This will allow for the citation to be mailed to the owner of the vehicle based on who the vehicle is registered under. Other Virginia localities and counties that have adopted this ordinance include Arlington County, Prince William County, Suffolk, and others. According to a presentation by Blacksburg Town Attorney Lawrence Spencer, the localities that have implemented this have found that it has helped slow down drivers and change driving behavior in those towns and counties. Some have reported a reduction of 90% in speeding, specifically in school zones. In order to do this, Blacksburg will have to have clear and visible signage as well as flashing lights to indicate these monitored zones that inform drivers of the use of speed cameras.
According to the presentation, a citation would be issued when a vehicle has gone over a minimum of 10 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The citations are civil penalties, so residents will be issued a fine, but it will not affect their insurance rates or their driving record. The state allows fines up to $100 for violations of Ordinance 2056. Residents have the right to contest these fines and have a hearing before a court.
Enforcement will begin in the fall with the beginning of the school year, and staff will be working on a public information program to precede the beginning of said enforcement.
