Chesterfield County installing speed cameras in school zones to address safety concerns

CHESTERFIELD COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- Chesterfield County is intensifying efforts to improve safety in school zones by installing speed cameras in areas where speeding has become a persistent issue. The first camera was recently installed near Moseley Elementary School in Magnolia Green, and plans are in place to deploy 12 more cameras over the next six months. These cameras are designed to automatically capture and issue tickets to drivers exceeding the speed limit by more than 10 miles per hour. The initiative comes in response to growing concerns from parents and residents about the dangers posed by speeding vehicles near schools, where children are often walking or biking. One of the next locations to see a speed camera installation is along James River Road, which connects Bettie Weaver Elementary and James River High School. This stretch of road has long been a source of concern for parents, including Carina Cottner, whose twins attend Bettie Weaver Elementary. These speed cameras will be posted at a total of 13 school zones during the initial installation wave: Bettie Weaver Elementary Beulah Elementary Cosby High Ecoff Elementary Grange Hall Elementary Manchester Middle Marguerite Christian School Midlothian High Moseley Elementary Old Hundred Elementary Reams Road Elementary Swift Creek Elementary Woolridge Elementary Cottner expressed that during school hours, traffic congestion combined with speeding vehicles creates a dangerous environment. “We have parents picking up their kids from Bettie Weaver, and they come down this [James River] road, make a U-turn, then line up in our car lane. The line can go all the way back to Robious at times,” Cottner explained. Despite living just a short distance from the school, Cottner frequently walks her children to ensure their safety. “Once they started walking, I became a little bit more self-aware of what was going on in this neighborhood. And just going, ‘Wow, they really are driving fast,’ and thinking to myself, ‘Was I going that fast too?’” Cottner said. Her concerns aren’t limited to daytime traffic. Cottner noted that speeding at night is another major issue in the neighborhood. “This is also a neighborhood that has families and kids that are playing in the streets and biking," Cottner said. "This side is the neighborhood; this side is the schools." In response to these concerns, the county installed flashing speed limit signs along James River Road earlier this year. While these signs have helped reduce some speeding, residents say they haven’t completely solved the problem. The upcoming speed cameras are expected to add another layer of enforcement. Once installed, drivers who exceed the speed limit during school zone hours will initially receive warnings during a 30-day grace period. After that, fines will be issued for violations. County officials believe this new approach will not only deter speeding but also create a safer environment for children walking or biking to school. The cameras will operate during school hours, with the primary goal of protecting students and residents in the area. Chesterfield County’s speed camera initiative is part of a broader trend across central Virginia to address traffic safety near schools. Other localities have implemented similar measures, including Richmond, Petersburg and Hopewell and early results suggest that these cameras have a significant impact on reducing speeding in high-risk areas. For residents like Cottner, the installation of speed cameras represents a critical step forward. “We all have places to go and things to do, but the safety of it all is more important,” she said. As the county moves forward with these installations, parents, school officials and local leaders are hopeful that the cameras will create a lasting change, making school zones safer for everyone.