PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) — Portsmouth is cracking down on speeding and dangerous driving throughout the city.
Earlier this week, council members voted 6-0 to install school bus stop-arm and red-light cameras. Fines for those who speed in these areas were supposed to begin Friday, with violators receiving them by mail.
Instead, Portsmouth Police announced Friday that the 30-day warning period that had been in place will be extended through Dec. 31.
Beginning Jan. 1, each time they catch you speeding through a school zone, you’ll have to pay $100.
“The operator of a vehicle shall be liable for a $100.00 civil penalty pursuant to this section if such vehicle is found, as evidenced by information obtained from a photo speed monitoring device, to be traveling at speeds of at least ten miles per hour above the posted school crossing zone or highway work zone speed limit within such school crossing zone or highway work zone, while such zone is active.”
Excerpt from city code
“These deterrents that we’re putting up, we’re hoping is going to save a life,” said Portsmouth police chief Stephen Jenkins.
Police said in a one week period from Nov. 12 through Nov. 18 that there were 5,067 violations in the city’s school zones, or more than 700 per day on average.
“These numbers are alarming,” Portsmouth Police said in a news release. “We are encouraging all those who travel in our city, especially near our schools, to slow down and use caution. As we approach our full implementation of this program, starting Jan. 1, 2024, we’re asking the public to please use caution as you proceed through the school zones.”
If you find a citation in your mailbox, city leaders say you’ll have access to video surveillance and photos online to confirm that your car was the one cited for speeding.
“There’s a high probability if you receive one, you were speeding,” Jenkins said.
The registered vehicle owner can request a hearing to challenge citations and must do so within 30 days of receiving one. If a driver passes that 30-day deadline, then they automatically assume fault and must pay the fine.
The parents and grandparents we spoke to about the cameras tell us they’re glad they’re in place.
“I just hope people will pay attention,” said grandmother Pamela Anstead. “Nobody has that extra money to pay out, I know I don’t.”
Mom Shanique Jones is hoping for positive results.
“I think it’s a good thing actually so that kids feel safer,” Jones said. “Parents won’t have to worry about accidents and things like that.”
Jenkins told 10 On Your Side that the cameras are highly accurate and calibrate every 30 minutes.
A police officer reviews each violation and has to sign off before a citation is sent in the mail.