Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) is launching a high-visibility transportation safety campaign as Arlington Public Schools (APS) students prepare to return to classrooms on Monday, August 31, 2026. This initiative aims to ensure the safety of children walking, bicycling, and riding buses throughout the county's school zones, with ACPD officers present at schools to welcome students and reinforce safe travel practices.
The County's commitment to school zone safety includes the continued operation of PhotoSPEED school zone speed safety cameras for the 2026-27 APS school year. Variable message boards will also be deployed across Arlington roadways to raise awareness and share crucial safety messages, aligning with the County's Vision Zero commitment to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries.
Significant safety improvements have been implemented through Vision Zero and other capital projects. These include tactical safety improvements on S. Carlin Springs Road, pedestrian crossing enhancements at N. George Mason Drive and 9th Street N., and curb updates at N. Veitch Street and 18th Street N., which also accommodates a new PhotoSPEED camera at Innovation Elementary. Further upgrades include pedestrian crossing improvements near H-B Woodlawn Middle/High School and an enhanced school beacon location at Dorothy Hamm Middle School.
Additionally, speed cushions or humps have been installed in eight school slow zones, including areas near Gunston Middle School and Yorktown High School, based on speed data. Intersection improvements at Vacation Lane & Lorcom Lane now feature an all-way stop and mountable medians to deter speeding. The S. Walter Reed Drive Complete Streets project realigned an intersection and added a traffic signal near Arlington Career Center and Arlington Montessori Elementary School.
The Vision Zero team reminds the community to slow down for students and encourages adherence to transportation safety tips. Drivers are urged to obey speed limits, avoid distracted driving, watch for students, and stop for school buses. Pedestrians should use marked crosswalks, while bicyclists must wear helmets, ride with traffic, and register their bikes. Resources on operating e-bikes and e-scooters lawfully and safely are also available.
General safety tips for students include knowing contact information, carrying a photo ID, remaining aware of surroundings, walking with others, staying in well-lit areas, limiting device use, avoiding strangers, and reporting unsafe situations to trusted adults. These collective efforts aim to ensure a safe return to school for all.