Does anyone know where I can look up the law for the HOURS a school zone should be in effect in Virginia? I found the actual code section for school zones, but it doesn't mention the times.

I got a ticket today on Main Street 5 minutes after school (Woodson) started. Never even realized the zone was still in effect. Seems odd to me that the zone would be in effect after the kids are already inside the school. Wondering if I should just pay it or go to court in November.

I am pretty sure it is when school is in SESSION and maybe an hour before and after.

Seems pretty common sensish that speeding when the kids are in class is no BFD. The only ones you may possibly harm are the ones who are late or cutting class and they are usually worthless fucktards anyway.

idontlikebeingrightaboutshitlikethisbutiam



Edited 21 time(s). Last edit at 5/31/1967 05:57AM by WingNut.

Last edit at 11/30/2015 01:37PM Last edit at 5/14/2015 03:52PM Last edit at 1/28/2014 05:57AM Last edit at 11/29/2015 01:10PM Last edit at 3/14/2011 11:52PM Last edit at 7/20/2012 04:07AM
Last edit at 6/29/2013 11:18PM Last edit at 3/19/2011 01:02PM Last edit at 3/26/2012 09:07PM

I don't think that is right. The flashing lights don't stay on all day. They turn on at 7:45 and go off at some point. I have no clue when they turn off now that there are new school hours because I don't usually drive that direction that late. I guess it makes sense if they come on 25 minutes before school that they might stay on 25 minutes after? Not sure. Can't find it on the interwebs.

`

idontlikebeingrightaboutshitlikethisbutiam



Edited 21 time(s). Last edit at 5/31/1967 05:57AM by WingNut.

Last edit at 11/30/2015 01:37PM Last edit at 5/14/2015 03:52PM Last edit at 1/28/2014 05:57AM Last edit at 11/29/2015 01:10PM Last edit at 3/14/2011 11:52PM Last edit at 7/20/2012 04:07AM
Last edit at 6/29/2013 11:18PM Last edit at 3/19/2011 01:02PM Last edit at 3/26/2012 09:07PM



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 12/15/2015 09:28PM by WingNut.

Got Ticket Wrote:
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> Does anyone know where I can look up the law for
> the HOURS a school zone should be in effect in
> Virginia? I found the actual code section for
> school zones, but it doesn't mention the times.
>
> I got a ticket today on Main Street 5 minutes
> after school (Woodson) started. Never even
> realized the zone was still in effect. Seems odd
> to me that the zone would be in effect after the
> kids are already inside the school. Wondering if I
> should just pay it or go to court in November.


I've gotten a ticket in Fairfax County before. Not the one that you got though. Anyway, since it is Fairfax County that means you are GUILTY!

Not trying to be an asshole but that is pretty much how FuckFax County is. Just pay it. Less money than getting a lawyer.

Fuckfax County = AUTOMATIC GUILTY

Yeah, I'm thinking it is a done deal, but it is my first ticket and I'm OLD.

The other possible "out" for this is that I turned right onto Main Street from Pickett and there is NOT a school zone sign on Main Street after the turn. The sign is on Pickett before the light. One could safely assume that sign only applies to cars continuing straight through the intersection, right?

umXev, it was Fairfax City. Does that help me any?

The school zone is active any time the lights are flashing. If you missed the flashing lights, I would recommend putting down the cell phone and paying attention to the road.

The flashing lights were on PICKETT not Main Street. Perhaps the sign should be more clear.

I didn't even see the sign. It was 8:15 and school already in session so it wasn't even on my mind. I hate that I got a ticket, but I doubt I can do anything about it. :(
Attachments:

Take those pictures to court and request leniency. If you have a good record, they will probably reduce or drop the ticket.

I got a ticket in 1984 for going 64 in 55 on a highway where the speed limit today is now 75.

How do the speed detectors work? Do they take a picture? How do they know it was MY speed they clocked and not the car in front or behind me (I was the middle car).

Got Ticket Wrote:
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> I don't think that is right. The flashing lights
> don't stay on all day. They turn on at 7:45 and go
> off at some point. I have no clue when they turn
> off now that there are new school hours because I
> don't usually drive that direction that late.

Were these updated for the later start times? Unless someone passed a law telling DMV to do something about it, they won't.

Anyone know what the fine is? Is there a court fee and then a fee for each mile per hour over speed limit? How does that work?

46.2-873 Speeding in School Zone - $7 per mph over the speed limit

Speeding 10-19 mph over the limit - 4 Demerit Points

Speeding 1-9 mph over the limit - 3 Demerit Points

Yeah, the School Zone sign is further back east on 236/Main Street. The whole intersection is School Zone for kids crossing. So it would be redundant to have another one in what is already been designated school zone.

Watch out taking Fairfax Blvd just west of the Anchorage Motel near PJ Skidoos, it's also a School Zone for Fairfax High even though its up the hill on Rebel Run.
FCPD hide out and snag people there too.

Here's the signs on Main Street at the intersection.
I'm not trying to be a dick ... but that's why they call it a 'zone' and not road. Just because you turn, you're still in the zone.
Attachments:

So what I'm seeing in this thread is that there are clearly marked SCHOOL ZONE signs, complete with flashing lights, on Main Street as well as on Pickett Street.

OP passed the flashing sign on Pickett, but thought that the zone no longer applied on Main, since a turn was made?

There are clearly marked "END SCHOOL ZONE" signs posted at the end of every school zone, usually on the opposite side of the street from the flashing signs designating the beginning of the zones.

There is no chance to fight this one, as it's abundantly clear where the school zone begins and ends.

You're not being a dick. I'm just mad at myself and wondering if it is worth pursuing getting it reduced.

I read some VDOT stuff online that said putting arrows on the school zone signs that are near an intersection are optional. Ugh. They opted out to give more tickets.

And this zone and the one near PJ Skidoos are both Fairfax City where the cops consistently sit at the BOTTOM of hills waiting.

I wonder how it affects my insurance. Grrrrrrrrr.

And how long for points to go away?

Signs everywhere Wrote:
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>
> There is no chance to fight this one, as it's
> abundantly clear where the school zone begins and
> ends.

I would not say "abundantly clear" but I get your point. My hope is that maybe the the fact that:

1) sign is on Pickett, not Main
2) school already started

might mean judge would reduce mph over to use the normal speed limit.

I know -- WISHFUL THINKING. :(

How fast were you going?

35 regular limit, 25 school zone limit.

Got Ticket Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> You're not being a dick. I'm just mad at myself
> and wondering if it is worth pursuing getting it
> reduced.
>
> I read some VDOT stuff online that said putting
> arrows on the school zone signs that are near an
> intersection are optional. Ugh. They opted out to
> give more tickets.
>
> And this zone and the one near PJ Skidoos are both
> Fairfax City where the cops consistently sit at
> the BOTTOM of hills waiting.
>
> I wonder how it affects my insurance. Grrrrrrrrr.
>
> And how long for points to go away?


It sounds like you're a pretty conscientious driver and you don't get tickets often.
It probably won't affect your insurance at all. They wouldn't hike it up until your next renewal. If I were you, I'd price it out to other agencies anyway because even if it did go up, another agency may be lower.

I'm guessing you were also cool to the cop and he probably hooked you up with the 'Failure to Obey Traffic Sign'. It stays on your record for 3 years and the 3 points will go away after two years.

I was cool to the cop AND I was SHOCKED at my speed when he showed me the radar. Not kidding. It didn't seem possible.

I asked if he was sure that it was me he clocked because I had just turned onto the road and there were other cars.

Also, I was accelerating up that hill you see in the picture and he got me right at the top between shopping center light and Whitacre light (before I had adjusted accelerator down a bit to "cruising speed" LOL.

I've never had a ticket and for that he reduced me to speeding in school zone rather than reckless. Count my blessings. But the fact remains that if he in fact clocked MY speed like he said, the speed was 20 over and therefore SIX points. :(

It is probably worth at least TRYING to fight it I suppose. Worst case I pay the fine and my insurance goes up.

:( :( :(

Got Ticket Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I was cool to the cop AND I was SHOCKED at my
> speed when he showed me the radar. Not kidding. It
> didn't seem possible.
>
> I asked if he was sure that it was me he clocked
> because I had just turned onto the road and there
> were other cars.
>
> Also, I was accelerating up that hill you see in
> the picture and he got me right at the top between
> shopping center light and Whitacre light (before I
> had adjusted accelerator down a bit to "cruising
> speed" LOL.
>
> I've never had a ticket and for that he reduced me
> to speeding in school zone rather than reckless.
> Count my blessings. But the fact remains that if
> he in fact clocked MY speed like he said, the
> speed was 20 over and therefore SIX points. :(
>
> It is probably worth at least TRYING to fight it I
> suppose. Worst case I pay the fine and my
> insurance goes up.
>
> :( :( :(

You are freaking lucky: +20 (automatic reckless driving class 1 misdemeanor) in a school zone! Be thankful he reduced the charge.

It looks like free legal advice Friday is back on FU

-------------------------------------------------------
> Got Ticket Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > I've never had a ticket and for that he reduced me to speeding in school zone rather than reckless. Count my blessings.

-------------------------------------------------------
6p7du Wrote:
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>
> You are freaking lucky: +20 (automatic reckless
> driving class 1 misdemeanor) in a school zone! Be
> thankful he reduced the charge.

Yes I am VERY lucky, thus my comment about counting my blessings. BTW that is a big road, not residential neighborhood. Speeding, yes according to his radar gun, but not nearly as evil as it sounds.

And I really appreciate Free Legal Advice Friday. That's why I came here. :)

...oh, and school was already in session. I knew that because I had just dropped my kid off at his school 15 minutes before and was heading home. The idea of school zone was not even on my mind and if the flashing light was on Main it would have reminded me to slow down.

It depends on school times. Generally between 7am and 3pm in FFX county.

Hours Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> It depends on school times. Generally between 7am
> and 3pm in FFX county.

Yes, but the zone on Main Street by Woodson is a "when flashing" zone. They go off after school starts, I just don't know exactly how long after school starts. That was my original question. Didn't really intend to go on and on with this.

Got Ticket Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > Got Ticket Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > >
> > > I've never had a ticket and for that he
> reduced me to speeding in school zone rather than
> reckless. Count my blessings.
>
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> 6p7du Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> >
> > You are freaking lucky: +20 (automatic
> reckless
> > driving class 1 misdemeanor) in a school zone!
> Be
> > thankful he reduced the charge.
>
> Yes I am VERY lucky, thus my comment about
> counting my blessings. BTW that is a big road, not
> residential neighborhood. Speeding, yes according
> to his radar gun, but not nearly as evil as it
> sounds.
>
> And I really appreciate Free Legal Advice Friday.
> That's why I came here. :)

Get some financial and relationship advice here as well and in a year you will be living in moms basement as many of the "advisors" here do

Dr Phill Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

> Get some financial and relationship advice here as
> well and in a year you will be living in moms
> basement as many of the "advisors" here do


Excellent. Since everyone on FU is so smart, I'll do that.

;)



p.s. been on FU for so many years now, I'm well aware of the dynamics here

Got Ticket Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hours Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > It depends on school times. Generally between
> 7am
> > and 3pm in FFX county.
>
> Yes, but the zone on Main Street by Woodson is a
> "when flashing" zone. They go off after school
> starts, I just don't know exactly how long after
> school starts. That was my original question.
> Didn't really intend to go on and on with this.

On Monday be there at the time you got the ticket. Have a camera ready. If the lights are not flashing at the time you got your ticket, and also about 10 minutes before, then take pictures, and make sure they are time stamped. It is possible that the lights may not reflect Woodson's new school hours. If they are flashing, then you know the cop was in the right.

If you don't care enough to do that, then just pay the ticket.

My guess is that they were flashing, I just didn't make the connection since the sign was on Pickett. I do realize that the ENTIRE area is school zone. The problem is I didn't notice them. If they had been there after the turn, I would have heeded it.

Found this on the FCPS website. It says they are on during school start and dismissal (45 minutes before school in morning, 45 minutes after school in afternoon). It does NOT specify how long after school start and before school dismissal they go off/on.

******
Question: I received a speeding ticket issued by the Fairfax County Police Department in the flashing school zone. Who operates these flashing signs, and what times do flashing school zones operate?

Answer: The flashing beacon school zone lights (Wink-O-Matics) are funded and operated by FCPS (FCPS currently has more than 260 WOM lights in daily operation), and placed on Virginia Department of Transportation's (VDOT) roadways through the VDOT permit system. WOM lights are installed based upon a criteria agreed upon by FCPS, VDOT and the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD). In general, WOM lights are placed on the roadway where there is a student crossing with a FCPD crossing guard.

The schedule is set by the FCPS Office of Safety and Security (OSS), and is 45 minutes before a school's start and for 45 minutes after a school’s dismissal. You can call the school for their arrival and dismissal times or the Office of Safety and Security at 571-423-2010 for the WOM schedule in question.
*******

Called the Office of Safety and Security listed above and was told the guy who knows the answer has already gone for the day. :/

Got Ticket Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Called the Office of Safety and Security listed
> above and was told the guy who knows the answer
> has already gone for the day. :/

It's 2:30 on a Friday. Did you expect county employees to be still be working?

I'm out on the roads all day, every (work) day, and the vast majority of people speed ALL THE TIME. The odds of getting caught are so miniscule that speeding (and running lights, etc) becomes automatic.

Then one very unlucky day, they get f I n a l l y get caught. Boo Hoo.

Instead of worrying about who turned the WOMs on and when, just think of the thousands of times you went ripping through there and DIDN'T get caught.

Keep in mind all the High School start times changed to later start this year. Also a lot other schools adjusted their times a bit.

I found our local high school/FCPS never re-adjusted the School Zone lights to match the new school hours.

You might look up the new school hours for the school in question and contact FCPS Safety/Security or whom ever is responsible for the School Zone lights and find out how many minutes before and after the stop and start time they are supposed to be active. I am guessing around 15 minutes??

Unless the lights are on, you should not be required to be at the posted School Zone speed UNLESS the posted School Zone speed actually matches the normal posted speed limit which I have seen a number of times in the area.

Then IF the School Zone lights were not on, you should have only received a speeding ticket. I think speeding in a School Zone may be a higher penalty/points??

BTW, the FCPS flunkies that are responsible for the School Zone lights are a bunch of idiots.

I have to contact them YEARLY to have turn off the School Zone lights after school ends. But this is also a PITA as the clown responsible for these goes on vacation almost as soon as school is out of the Summer.

I know of 2 local schools near me that the School Zone lights were on ALL SUMMER this year. I just never bothered to contact the FCPS clowns this year to shut them off because I get tired of having to do everyone's job all the time.

As to the 45 minutes before and after the start or stop time of the school, I call BS on that. The lights would be on for 1 hour and 30 minutes 2 times a day.

Maybe 45 minutes total during the the start or end of school or for 22.5 minutes before and after the start or stop of school.

FCPS web site may say 45 minutes, however, this is total BS, 3 hours of school zone each school day for each school traffic would never get anywhere in the area.

HEeE6 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BTW, the FCPS flunkies that are responsible for
> the School Zone lights are a bunch of idiots.
>
> I have to contact them YEARLY to have turn off the
> School Zone lights after school ends. But this is
> also a PITA as the clown responsible for these
> goes on vacation almost as soon as school is out
> of the Summer.
>
> I know of 2 local schools near me that the School
> Zone lights were on ALL SUMMER this year. I just
> never bothered to contact the FCPS clowns this
> year to shut them off because I get tired of
> having to do everyone's job all the time

You are a moron. The WOM's are programmed by different guys in the four maintenance areas. Any questions or concerns call OSS.

I am not a moron. I can only tell you the situation I deal with. Chances are I am probably only dealing with 1 of the 4 sections or districts of the FCPS system. I know they have 4 sections or districts but the way I was informed it sounded like it was just maybe one person in charge, maybe for my area.

The flukies that deal with my area ROUTINELY forget to turn the lights off, do not replace bulbs, do not clear trees and branches in front of the WOM.

There are also a number of private schools that FCPS actually controls and maintains the WOM for and they often fail to turn these lights on or off at the correct days. Yes many of the private schools have different schedules, however, a calendar or even an electronic calendar with reminders works pretty well.

Not sure what these guys are so busy doing, but the WOM are generally not addressed correctly in my area. They did not adjust many in the area for the new school schedules this year.

How can I get their job???

HEeE6 Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> BTW, the FCPS flunkies that are responsible for
> the School Zone lights are a bunch of idiots.
>
> I have to contact them YEARLY to have turn off the
> School Zone lights after school ends. But this is
> also a PITA as the clown responsible for these
> goes on vacation almost as soon as school is out
> of the Summer.
>
> I know of 2 local schools near me that the School
> Zone lights were on ALL SUMMER this year. I just
> never bothered to contact the FCPS clowns this
> year to shut them off because I get tired of
> having to do everyone's job all the time.

The school zone lights are never adjusted for snow days or snow delays either. I always wondered if the cops would give a ticket for going 35 in a school zone if the lights were on but school wasn't in session.

X43Hb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Here's the signs on Main Street at the
> intersection.
> I'm not trying to be a dick ... but that's why
> they call it a 'zone' and not road. Just because
> you turn, you're still in the zone.


That picture is of Fairfax's 'revenue corner' be careful

I've been driving through "revenue corner" daily for decades and it's never cost me a dime. Of course, I don't speed or run lights. Maybe that's the key?

I wish all government revenue efforts were so easy to avoid! (Third quarter IRS payment was due last week :( and I'm broke, sorta)

Probably got a ticket about half hour ago in the same school zone. Policeman used a gun and tapped his waist belt. No one pulled me over. Did he take a picture of my car? I had not realized I was still in the school zone.