Hampton looks to photo technology to enforce school zone speed limits

March 27, 2024 - Hampton is considering the use of safety cameras to enforce speed limits in school zones, according to a presentation on March 27 to City Council.

Concerns about pedestrian and child safety around schools have been an ongoing issue for parents and school officials.

The city already has signs and flashing lights to notify drivers of speed limit changes in school zones. The zones are active during the before- and after-school hours when students are crossing nearby streets. Drivers are required to slow to 25 mph during those times, but without enforcement many drivers don't.

With more than 30 public schools in the city, it's impractical to station police officers at all school locations.

Public Works Director Jason Mitchell proposed that the city initially test the speed limit cameras in up to 12 locations. Traffic counts are under way, and the department will use that data, along with input from police and school officials, to identify the most dangerous streets outside schools.

Using advanced technology, the city can take a proactive approach to deter dangerous driving behaviors, reduce speeding, and promote safety around our schools. The safety cameras are automatically activated daily, which can provide a proven tool to slow drivers.

Mitchell noted that the startup cost to activate the safety cameras for all the schools in the city would be nearly $3.4 million. However, experience in the more than 200 communities that operate speed safety cameras shows the ability to recoup any upfront costs through penalties - as well as safety benefits.

Mitchell said the cameras could be operational as soon as the next school year through an existing vendor contract.

Hampton City Council approved red-light cameras more than a year ago and has already partnered with contractor Verra Mobility to install and operate those red-light cameras at locations near Interstate 64. The aim for this piece of the program is to reduce the number of drivers who attempt go around bridge-tunnel backups on eastbound I-64, diverting through the city streets and causing congestion. These streets were not designed to handle such high volumes of traffic.

Residents of Phoebus have reported difficulty entering or exiting their driveways, especially during the evening rush hour. Downtown also faces severe gridlock in the afternoon, with traffic often at a standstill from the I-64 exit on LaSalle Avenue, along Settlers Landing Road all the way to the downtown entrance ramp. This congestion can delay parents picking up children from school. Beyond being a daily headache for Hampton residents and businesses, these traffic jams pose a significant safety risk by potentially hindering police, fire, and rescue personnel from reaching people in an emergency.

One red-light camera has been installed at the intersection of Settlers Landing Road and William R. Harvey Way. Two more are planned for Mallory Street near I-64 with the goal of having them operational by the time summer tourist traffic exacerbates the existing rush hour congestion.

There will be a 30-day warning period before the city starts issuing fines. Watch for more information and details on the new traffic patterns in the weeks ahead.

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