Arlington School Zone Speed Limits & Crossing Guards

Public Safety Virginia 3 Minutes Read ยท published February 10, 2026 Flag of Virginia

Arlington, Virginia sets and enforces rules for school zone speed limits and crossing guards to protect children and pedestrians. Local traffic engineering and the Arlington County Police work with schools to place signs, set school zone times, and staff crossing guard locations where needed. This article explains who enforces those rules, how to report problems, typical violations, and the steps residents can take to request changes or contest tickets.

Always prioritize safe crossings and follow posted school zone signs.

How school zone limits and crossing guards are set

Speed limits and crossing-guard placements in Arlington are managed by the county's transportation and traffic engineering functions, which review requests, conduct studies, and install signage in coordination with schools and police Arlington Transportation/Traffic Engineering[1]. Crossing guard staffing and training are coordinated through the Arlington County Police crossing guard program Crossing Guard Program[2].

Penalties & Enforcement

Enforcement is carried out by Arlington County Police and parking/traffic enforcement personnel; the controlling legal provisions are in the Arlington County Code and applicable state law. Specific monetary fines, escalation for repeat offences, and administrative penalties are not specified on the cited county pages Arlington County Code (ordinances)[3].

  • Fine amounts: not specified on the cited page; check the municipal code or court notices for amounts.
  • Escalation and repeat offences: not specified on the cited page; local court or code sections may list ranges or repeat penalties.
  • Non-monetary sanctions: orders to correct signage or behavior, court appearances, and civil process may apply; specifics are not specified on the cited page.
  • Enforcer and complaints: Arlington County Police and Transportation/Traffic Engineering handle enforcement, requests, and complaints; use the Transportation contact pages or Police non-emergency contacts to report concerns.
  • Appeals and reviews: appeal processes and time limits are not specified on the cited page; ticket citations typically list appeal instructions and deadlines.
If you receive a citation, follow the instructions on the ticket for appeal timelines and payment.

Applications & Forms

The county publishes procedures for requesting traffic studies or changes but specific forms for school zone changes or crossing guard requests are not centrally published on the cited pages; contact Transportation/Traffic Engineering or the Police Crossing Guard Program to begin a request Traffic Engineering[1] or Crossing Guard Program[2].

  • Typical timeline: traffic study requests vary by workload; no uniform deadline is published on the cited pages.
  • Forms: none officially published for crossing guard requests on the cited pages; contact departments directly.

Common violations

  • Speeding in posted school zones during active hours.
  • Failing to yield to crossing guards or pedestrians in crosswalks.
  • Illegal parking in/loading zones that block sightlines at school crossings.

Action steps

  • Report unsafe conditions: contact Arlington Transportation or Police non-emergency to request a site review.
  • Request a traffic study: submit details to Transportation/Traffic Engineering with location, times, and photos.
  • If cited: follow ticket instructions to pay or appeal within the listed period.
Document dates, times, and photos when requesting studies or reporting violations.

FAQ

Who decides school zone speeds in Arlington?
The county Transportation/Traffic Engineering division sets school zone speeds in coordination with schools and Arlington County Police.
How do I request a crossing guard?
Contact the Arlington County Police Crossing Guard Program to request an evaluation and possible assignment.
What should I do if a driver speeds in a school zone?
Report the incident to Arlington Police non-emergency or request a traffic study through Transportation to address recurring issues.

How-To

  1. Note the exact location, time of day, and nature of the problem near the school crossing.
  2. Take photos or video if safe and lawful to do so without endangering anyone.
  3. Submit a report or request to Arlington Transportation/Traffic Engineering with your contact information and evidence.
  4. Follow up with Arlington County Police if the issue is an immediate safety threat or involves reckless driving.

Key Takeaways

  • Arlington coordinates traffic engineering and police to set school zone limits and crossing guards.
  • Specific fines and appeal timelines are referenced on citations or the municipal code; they are not specified on the cited county program pages.

Help and Support / Resources

  1. [1] Arlington Transportation/Traffic Engineering - School zone guidance and requests
  2. [2] Arlington County Police - Crossing Guard Program
  3. [3] Arlington County Code - Municipal ordinances and traffic provisions

Categories

General Governance and Administration Public Safety Public Health and Welfare Land Use and Zoning Housing and Building Standards Transportation Environmental Protection Parks and Public Spaces Business and Consumer Protection Taxation and Finance Labor and Employment Education Civil Rights and Equity Elections and Campaign Finance Events and Special Uses Signs and Advertising Utilities and Infrastructure Technology and Data