NORFOLK, Va. — School zones in Norfolk are about to get a little bit safer as the city actively installs school zone speed cameras in the hopes of slowing down drivers.
Richard Bowling Elementary School, Booker T. Washington High School, Norview High School and Larchmont Elementary School will be the first to get the cameras installed in their school zones.
Back in 2020, the Virginia General Assembly authorized cities to implement school zone speed cameras.
"The construction process is already underway. I know for example Larchmont Elementary School, some of the facilities have started to be installed," said Norfolk's Director of Transportation John Stevenson.
In total, 10 school zones will have two cameras each, with the exception of Larchmont. That school zone will only receive one camera because of the way the road curves.
If you’re snapped on camera speeding, each infraction will have to be reviewed by an officer and validated. The city is even hiring more staff to help with that process.
"I think this is phenomenal," said Norfolk City Councilwoman Danica Royster. "I think it’s good. I think it creates accountability."
Norfolk isn’t the only city installing these cameras. Portsmouth, Suffolk and Chesapeake already have some of theirs up and running.
Stevenson said they hope these cameras will keep students safe in light of past tragedies.
"Several of these are six lane roadways that have students crossing them every day," he said. "Booker T. Washington had a severe injury to a student. Bowling Elementary had a student that was involved in a fatality."
Stevenson assured Norfolk city council members that these cameras would not replace other safety measures like crossing guards, but will supplement them.
"It’s been shown to help reduce the speeds of vehicles going through the school zone, so it aids the crossing guard in crossing students across the road," he said.
He said they aim to have all the cameras installed by the second quarter of 2024.
When those cameras are up and running, there will be a 30-day grace period where drivers will be warned if they’re caught speeding.
Stevenson said once they complete the school zone cameras, they’ll move on to installing work zone speed cameras.