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Spotsylvania board directs staff to draft school-zone speed camera ordinance with progressive fines
Summary
After a staff briefing, the board authorized drafting and advertising an ordinance to establish an automated school-zone speed camera program and civil penalties. Staff recommended a tiered approach; the board provided guidance favoring a $50 first-offense fine and $100 for subsequent offenses and authorized advertisement for public hearing.
The Spotsylvania County Board of Supervisors on Oct. 22 authorized staff to draft and advertise an ordinance to set up an automated school-zone speed enforcement program. County deputy attorney Susan Cook and Captain Merrick of the sheriff’s office told the board that state statute allows civil penalties for automated enforcement but caps the maximum at $100, so the county must decide how to structure fines.
Cook told the board that an ordinance should accompany a camera program so the county can set the civil penalties and provide clarity about enforcement procedures. Captain Merrick said jurisdictions vary — some set a flat $100 fine while others use tiered penalties tied to speed or repeat violations — and that automated enforcement typically issues the citation to the registered owner. The sheriff’s office reported that automated programs typically produce about a 90% reduction in speeding through school zones.
Supervisor Hayes moved to direct staff to draft the ordinance and advertise it for public hearing. During discussion, supervisors debated whether to tier fines by speed or implement escalating penalties for repeat violations. The board settled on guidance from staff suggesting progressive penalties: $50 for a first offense and $100 for second and subsequent offenses, staying under the statutory $100 cap. The motion to direct staff and advertise the ordinance passed on a voice vote.
Cook said the board will need to set precise penalty language in the draft ordinance and noted any future changes would require amending the ordinance. Captain Merrick added that automated citations are civil penalties separate from a deputy-issued traffic citation, which can carry enhanced penalties in school zones.
The county will advertise the ordinance for public comment before the board takes a final vote. If adopted, the ordinance would establish the civil penalty structure and authorizations for an automated speed-enforcement contract; details on vendor contracts, program start dates and camera locations will be developed in later staff work.
