Charlotte County, VA Launches School Zone Safety Program with Extended Warning Period

Charlotte County, VA – Charlotte County is taking a proactive, safety-first step to protect students by launching an Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) program in school zones at Randolph-Henry High School and Phenix Elementary School, in partnership with the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office and Blue Line Solutions.

Following the completion of comprehensive 5-Day pre-program speed studies, the data revealed a significant safety concern. Over a five-day period, 2,757 vehicles were recorded speeding through these school zones, out of approximately 14,638 vehicles per week. Most concerning, nearly 18% of speeders were traveling more than 21 MPH over the posted school zone speed limit, placing children, families, and educators at severe risk.

A Community-First Approach with Extended Warnings

In an effort to prioritize education and behavior change, Charlotte County elected to implement an extended 60-day warning period, doubling the typical duration to give drivers every opportunity to slow down and adjust their behavior before enforcement begins.

The warning period begins February 11, during which motorists exceeding the speed limit by 10 MPH or more will receive a mailed warning notice clearly marked in red. These warnings carry no fines and serve as an educational reminder to drive safely in active school zones.

Live enforcement will begin April 12, following the conclusion of the 60-day warning period.

“This extended warning period reflects Charlotte County’s commitment to transparency, education, and long-term safety outcomes,” said Mark Hutchinson, Founder and CEO of Blue Line Solutions. “When communities lead with data and give drivers time to change behavior, we see meaningful reductions in speeding and real progress toward Vision Zero.”

How the Program Works

• ASE cameras operate when school is in session, children are present, and school zone beacons are flashing
• Citations are issued only for vehicles traveling 11 MPH or over the posted limit
• All violations are civil in nature, with no points or insurance penalties
• Every violation is reviewed and approved by the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office prior to issuance
• School zones are clearly marked with signage, flashing beacons, and radar feedback signs to provide advance notice

National safety data reinforces the importance of these measures. A child struck by a vehicle traveling 40 MPH has only a 10% chance of survival, while at 20 MPH, survival rates increase to 90%. Speeding remains one of the leading contributors to severe and fatal crashes, especially during weekday school hours.

Advancing Toward Vision Zero

By launching this program, Charlotte County joins a growing number of Virginia communities using data-driven enforcement to protect students and reduce dangerous driving behavior where it matters most.

Blue Line Solutions is proud to support the Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office in delivering a transparent, equitable, and safety-focused school zone enforcement program designed to save lives, not generate revenue.

Together, we move closer to the shared goal of Vision Zero:
Zero crashes. Zero injuries. Zero lives lost.

Schedule your FREE 5-Day Speed Study today and get started on the road to Vision Zero with a trusted traffic safety partner: https://www.bluelinesolutions.com/contact