Albemarle County Expands School Zone Speed Camera Program, Adds Stop Arm Bus Cameras to Improve School Safety

JOINT NEWS RELEASE

(ALBEMARLE COUNTY, Virginia) – Albemarle County is expanding its school zone speed camera program and launching a new initiative to further protect students traveling to and from school.

Beginning Wednesday, August 13, 2025, speed enforcement cameras will be operational in the school zone on Rockfish Gap Turnpike (U.S. 250) in Crozet, adjacent to Western Albemarle High School, Henley Middle School, and Brownsville Elementary School. The automated speed cameras are designed to detect and cite vehicles traveling 10 mph or more over the posted school zone speed limit.

This expansion builds on the success of the initial camera installation near the Lambs Lane campus (Albemarle High School, Journey Middle School, and Greer Elementary School), where the program was launched in the 2024-25 school year. In that school zone, Albemarle County observed a 49% decrease in speeding events on the northbound side and a 42% decrease on the southbound side after the program’s first year.

“We’ve seen firsthand how effective this program can be in changing driver behavior,” said Captain Jason Marden with the Albemarle County Police Department’s Special Operations Division. “Reducing speeds in our school zones is a simple but powerful way to protect children traveling to and from school in our community.”

In addition to speed enforcement in school zones, Albemarle County is introducing stop arm cameras on select school buses for the 2025-26 school year. The cameras will automatically detect and record vehicles that illegally pass school buses while their stop arms and flashing red lights are activated.

Four buses have been selected by Albemarle County Public Schools for the program based on data identifying routes with frequent stop arm violations.

“Our school bus drivers witness dangerous and illegal passing on their routes nearly every day. Adding stop arm cameras will help hold drivers accountable. We’re grateful for our partnership with the Albemarle County Police Department and their continued support in keeping our students safe on their way to and from school,” Jamie Gellner, Director of Transportation for ACPS, said.

A 30-day warning period for both the new school zone speed camera location on Rockfish Gap Turnpike and the stop arm school bus cameras will begin on the first day of school, during which drivers will receive warning notices instead of citations. Full enforcement will begin on Monday, September 15, 2025.

For more information about the program, including frequently asked questions, visit albemarle.org/police.

MEDIA CONTACTS:
Logan Bogert
Public Information Officer, ACPD
lbogert@albemarle.org
434-296-5841 ext. 3908

Lauren Hunt
Communications Coordinator, ACPS
Office: 434-987-8442
lhunt@k12albemarle.org