Drivers face $100 ‘zone’ fees under new program and they don’t even have to be behind the wheel

MOTORISTS will be hit with $100 fines under a new protective rule being rolled out in specific areas.

But they don’t even have to be behind the wheel to receive the penalty.

James City County Police in Virginia said last week, “We’re excited to announce a safety program designed to protect our community’s future: children.

“Starting September 8th, we’ll be issuing warnings to those who speed in designated school zones while the flashing lights are on.”

Officials have been rolling out Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) technology to catch speeding drivers.

The ASE systems use radar and camera technology to detect and record vehicles traveling at least 10 mph over the posted speed limit in active school zones.

The police said, “We want to give everyone in the community the opportunity to slow down, save a life, and make a difference for the children attending school here in James City County.”

Fines of $100 will be issued for each violation, which will be sent by mail.

However, county officials said that it will be the registered owner of the violating vehicle who will receive a summons in the mail – therefore not necessarily the speeding driver.

The owner will be sent pics of the violation, the recorded vehicle speed and summons details and instructions for payment or contesting the violation.

The county added, “Per Virginia law, ASE violations carry a civil penalty of $100 per offense.

“No points will be assessed on a driver’s record, and summons will not be reported to the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or insurance providers.”

But the public has been given some time to adjust to the system.

Before enforcement begins, a 30-day warning period will take place.

This means that those caught speeding past specific schools will receive warning notices but no fines – a measure to ensure public awareness of the new system.

The county said, “ASE systems have been installed and the 30-day warning period has begun.

“The warning period will go until October 8, 2025. On October 8, 2025, we will begin the enforcement period.”

While residents have in general applauded the initiative as “great” and called for it to be extended to protect kids in residential areas, some were concerned that they would be unwittingly caught out.

One worried driver asked police on social media, “Who do we contact if we have a question in regards to the school zone lights and not being able to see them?”

Another wondered whether they could challenge any fines as a school they pass has lights “blocked by tree branches and you can’t see the lights flashing until you are right at them.”

A fellow resident added, “I work at Stonehouse Elementary and I saw lights flashing in the speed zone at the last minute – the sun was so bright I could not tell they were blinking.”

But other locals advised them that they could simply avoid penalties by “not speeding past schools.”

The ASE zones have been clearly marked with “photo enforced” signs to warn drivers of active enforcement areas.

The system operates only during designated school hours when students are arriving and departing.

On school days, this typically includes one hour before and after school hours.

The registered vehicle owner will only receive a summons if their car is traveling at least 10 mph over the posted school zone speed limit while warning lights are active.

The system captures a series of pics and video clips that document the violation, including the vehicle’s speed, date, time, location, and license plate.

And, before any summons is issued, a cop will review the evidence to confirm the violation.

The county said the initiative also helps police, as they “lack the personnel to monitor all 13 Williamsburg-James City County schools.”

It added, “Speed cameras have been proven to significantly reduce speeding violations in communities where they are installed, creating safer road conditions and improving compliance with speed limits.”