Fredericksburg Police have launched automated speed enforcement cameras in school zones at Hugh Mercer Elementary and James Monroe High School to curb speeding and improve safety. The move is part of a partnership formed in November 2024 between the Fredericksburg Police Department and the city, aiming to reduce speeding near schools and protect students, staff, and families.
To ease drivers into the new system, the city implemented a 30-day warning period following the installation of the cameras. During this period, violators received warnings instead of citations, a step the city said was designed to “educate drivers and encourage compliance with speed limits.”
Between December 12, 2024, and January 10, 2025, Fredericksburg Police issued 247 warnings for speeding violations. The highest recorded speed was 50 mph. At James Monroe High School, located on Washington Avenue, 66 warnings were given, 19 of which were for speeds at least 15 mph over the 15 mph school zone limit. The highest recorded speed at this location was 33 mph.
On Coward Boulevard near Hugh Mercer Elementary, a total of 181 warnings were issued, with 47 of them for speeds exceeding the 25 mph limit by 15 mph or more. The highest recorded speed in this area was also 50 mph.
The city is working with Altumint, a private company specializing in automated traffic enforcement services. Holly Cooper, CEO of Altumint, said their speed cameras have led to a 75% reduction in speed violations in similar programs across Virginia within just three months.
Fredericksburg Police Chief Brian Layton emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment for those commuting to and from school. “We aim to positively influence driver behavior near our school campuses by implementing this innovative technology,” Layton said.
Caitlyn McGhee, the city’s Chief Information Officer, stated that the police department plans to evaluate the effectiveness of the speed cameras by analyzing ticket data and determining whether speeding incidents decrease over time.
Virginia’s Motor Vehicle Code permits the use of photo speed monitoring devices in school zones, with fines of up to $100 for drivers caught speeding 10 or more miles per hour over the limit.
