Speed cameras coming to two King William schools

KING WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. (WRIC) -- When King William County students return to class on Monday, new speed cameras will be active at two of the county's schools.

On Monday, Aug. 18, an automated photo speed enforcement program will officially launch at King William County High School and Hamilton Holmes Middle School, according to the King William County Sheriff's Office.

These new speed cameras, which will be activated on school days, will identify drivers going 10 mph or more over the speed limit.

Speeding in this school zone is a "significant problem," according to authorities. A previous speed study found that, of the 11,742 drivers who drove in this school zone during a 5-day period, more than 2,800 of them were speeding -- or nearly one-fourth of the total drivers.

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Almost half of those speeders were going between 11 and 14 mph over the speed limit, per authorities. About 30% were driving between 15 and 20 mph over and just under 23% were driving 21 mph or more over.

It's these especially high rates of speed that have authorities so concerned about this area.

"We know that speed kills," the sheriff's office said. "Statistics show [that] a child struck by a vehicle traveling 40 mph only has a one in 10 chance of survival, but if you slow that down to 20 mph, that same child has a much-improved survival rate of nine in 10."

The school zone is clearly marked, including posted speed limit signs, flashing lights and other road signs that capture vehicles' speeds, authorities said. This allows drivers to recognize the need to slow down in advance.

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There will be a 30-day warning period prior to live enforcement. During that period, non-compliant drivers won't be fined for speeding. Instead, they will receive a warning in the mail.

"Warning summonses serve as a reminder to slow down in places where our children learn and play and carry no monetary implications," authorities said.

Live enforcement will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 17. Speeders will then begin to receive summonses in the mail, which carry a fine.

"We are committed to changing driver behavior, slowing speeders down and protecting our children," authorities said. "Please drive safely in our school zones and in our community."