Beach traffic faces speed traps on I-64 in New Kent

State of play: New Kent County deputies recently started patrolling their portion of the 29-mile section of I-64, which has been under construction as part of VDOT's road widening project between Henrico and James City.

• Since it's a construction zone, the area's speed limit is now 60 mph, down from the usual 70 mph.
• Deputies are also using an automated speed detection system, similar to Richmond's school zone speed cameras but with handheld, remote-sensing devices.
• And much like Richmond's system, New Kent's I-64 program automatically detects anyone going 11 miles or more over the speed limit and sends offenders a fine in the mail.

Zoom in: New Kent implemented the new system in response to the 85% year-over-year increase in car crashes along its portion of the highway when construction started, County Sheriff Lee Bailey told the Daily Press.

• New Kent's stretch of I-64 runs from roughly exit 205 (Bottoms Bridge exit) to exit 220 (West Point/New Kent exit), per VDOT.

• The county announced the measure on July 1 and had a warning and grace period for the new system, which ended last week.
• Bailey told the Daily Press that deputies captured 3,664 violators in 29.5 hours of enforcement last week.

The bottom line: Watch your speed if you're heading east on I-64.