Richmond, Chesterfield police officers urge motorists to drive carefully in school zones

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- As a brand-new school year in Central Virginia begins, City of Richmond and Chesterfield County officers are reminding drivers about speed cameras near schools.

Officials from both localities are advising drivers to slow down or risk getting a ticket in school zones.

Thirteen public school zones in Richmond are equipped with cameras which are active during school hours.

Starting Wednesday, Aug. 20, drivers near Chesterfield County schools should expect a 30-day warning period for cameras. Those caught speeding on camera will only receive a warning for those days.

Those warning period zones are near Meadowbrook High School, Manchester High School, Bailey Bridge Middle School, Manchester Middle School and Matoaca Middle School. Other Chesterfield school zones are not under any warning period, which means drivers may be handed a ticket if they are caught speeding.

Each school in the county has different hours when the cameras are active. They will be turned on for an hour in the morning for drop-off and an hour in the afternoon for pick-up.

Police are also reminding drivers to put down any cell phones or other distractions and be cautious on the roads.