Sep 15, 2026 - Transit

Richmond speed cameras are slowing drivers in school zones

Sabrina Moreno

a speed limit photo enforced sign with a picture of a camera above it and the word "School" — Photo: Will Waldron/Albany Times Union via Getty Images

A new analysis shows that Richmond's school-zone speed cameras are slowing drivers down even when the cameras aren't on.

Why it matters: The numbers are one of the first glimpses into how much these cameras are changing behavior on some of Richmond's most dangerous roads, over two years after the city added the first ones.

The big picture: Average overall speeds declined at 10 of the city's 13 camera-enforced school zones over a 29-month period, according to Richmond's transportation department.

The other three maintained speeds at or below the 25mph limit.

Zoom in: The biggest drops were outside Richmond High School for the Arts on Midlo Turnpike, River City Middle on Hull and McClenney Elementary on Chamberlayne.

Average speeds near Richmond High School for the Arts fell 8mph, from 41mph to 33mph.
They dropped by 7mph near River City Middle School and 3.5mph around McClenney, though Richmond didn't release the average starting speeds for those locations.

Between the lines: Those three school zones also captured the top five fastest speeds recorded last year, which peaked at 76mph.

River City has also consistently logged the most citations, with 44,600 since 2024.

Go deeper: Richmond looks to expand Vision Zero playbook

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Richmond speed cameras are slowing drivers in school zones

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