Police Conduct 2026 Back-to-School Transportation Safety Campaign

Published on August 25, 2026

ARLINGTON, Va. – Arlington Public Schools will welcome students back into their classrooms on Monday, August 31, 2026, which means there will soon be an increase in children walking, bicycling and riding the bus to schools throughout Arlington. Transportation safety is a group effort; it takes all of us working together and following the rules of the road to keep our community safe. The Arlington County Police Department (ACPD) will conduct a high-visibility transportation safety campaign in and around school zones to ensure the trip to class is as safe as possible. Community members can expect to see ACPD officers and personnel at schools across the county, welcoming students as they return to the classroom.

As a reminder, the County remains committed to safety in school zones and the PhotoSPEED school zone speed safety cameras will be operational during the 2026-27 APS school year. Full details on the camera locations are provided in the press release. 

Variable message boards will be placed along roadways in Arlington to raise awareness about the start of the school year and to share important safety messaging. With a little awareness and prevention, all travelers can arrive at their destinations in a timely and safe manner.

Vision Zero Advancements to Protect Students and Other Travelers

School Zone Safety Improvements  

Creating safer routes to school remains a key part of the County’s Vision Zero commitment. Before the start of the 2026-27 APS school year, the County implemented new safety treatments in school zones across Arlington through Vision Zero and other capital projects, including:  

• Tactical Safety Improvements on S. Carlin Springs Road. This project between Arlington Boulevard and 3^rd Street S. installed flexible posts at the centerline of S. Carlin Springs Road (adjacent to Kenmore Middle School) to visually narrow the roadway, helping to lower vehicle speeds and reduce unexpected vehicle movements across the centerline. The project is part of a Vision Zero Arterial Speed Management Safety Pilot. 

• Pedestrian Crossing Improvements at N. George Mason Drive and 9^th Street N. This project installed Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons (RRFBs) to improve the existing school crossing to Escuela Key Elementary School. This was the second phase of this Quick-Build Safety Project at this intersection. Phase 1, completed in June 2025, extended the median to shorten crossing distances for pedestrians and added concrete curb extensions, roadway markings and improved signage at the crosswalk. 

• Curb Updates at N. Veitch Street and 18^th Street N. This project added a concrete island at the intersection to implement right-turn hardening for vehicles. This improvement also made space for placement of a school zone PhotoSPEED camera at Innovation Elementary School. *The installation and testing of this camera is in progress. Completion is expected by the end of September, and additional information will be provided prior to the camera becoming operational. 

• Pedestrian Crossing Improvements at Key Boulevard near N. Ode Street. This project extended the curb and improved the crosswalk ramp on the north side of Key Boulevard, providing access to H-B Woodlawn Middle/High School.             

• Curb Updates at 2300 Military Road. This update enhanced the school beacon location and made space for placement of a school zone PhotoSPEED camera at Dorothy Hamm Middle School. 

• Speed Cushions/Humps in 8 School Slow Zones. Using on-the-ground speed data, the County identified the following school slow zone segments for installation of speed cushions or humps (type of hump is selected based on roadway width and characteristics):  

• 28^th Street S. near Gunston Middle School  

• N. Greenbrier Street near Yorktown High School  

• S. Chesterfield Road near Claremont Elementary School and Wakefield High School  

• N. Lexington Street near Cardinal Elementary School  

• 5^th Road N. near Ashlawn Elementary School  

• 7^th Street S. near Arlington Montessori Elementary School  

• 15^th Street N. near Washington-Liberty High School (replacing tactical speed humps) 

• Fairfax Drive near St. Ann Catholic School (K-8^th grade) 

• Vacation Lane & Lorcom Lane Intersection Improvements Project. This capital transportation project added stop control at the Lorcom Lane approaches to the intersection, making it an all-way stop. The project included the introduction of advanced signage and pavement markings, as well as installation of mountable medians on Lorcom Lane to visually narrow the road and discourage speeding while maintaining the turn radius for buses traveling through the intersection. This addresses safety concerns reported by both residents and parents of Dorothy Hamm Middle School students. 

• S. Walter Reed Drive Complete Streets Improvements. This project realigned the intersection of South Walter Reed Drive and 9^th Street S. and added a traffic signal to allow for controlled access to and from 9^th Street S., near the Arlington Career Center and Arlington Montessori Elementary School. This project is being done in coordination with the Arlington Public Schools Grace Hopper Center construction project. 

Safety Resources from Vision Zero 

The County’s Vision Zero team reminds the community to slow down for children who are walking, bicycling and riding the bus to school this fall. Learn more about this campaign, as well as tips and resources for back-to-school safety, on the Safe Routes to School page.  

Transportation Safety Tips

Know the Law Before you Ride:

Whether you are shopping for or have purchased an e-bike, e- scooter, moped or e-motorcycle, it’s important to know the laws and understand the risks associated with its operation before you ride. ACPD is encouraging the community to visit the Know the Law Before You Ride webpage which details different types of mobility devices, and facts on how to operate them lawfully and safely.

E-motorcycles are generally NOT appropriate for teens due to reaching speeds of up to 65 mph and any person operating a mobility device, such as an e-motorcycle, capable of speeds over 35 mph or a motor output over 750 watts must obtain an M Class Endorsement on their driver’s license and have proper registration for their device.

E-bikes typically have a maximum speed up to 20 mph (some up to 28 mph) and may be appropriate for an older teen based on their level of training and experience. A safety guide when riding e-scooters and e-bikes is now available through Vision Zero.

Drivers are reminded to:

• Obey posted speed limits, which may change during school zone times.
• Avoid distracted driving and keep your attention on the road.
  • Holding a hand-held communication device while driving is illegal in Virginia. Violations could result in a fine of up to $125 for a first offense.
• Watch for students walking, riding bikes and other mobility devices to school.
• Do not pass a stopped school bus loading or unloading passengers.
  • On a two-lane road, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop.
  • On a multi-lane paved road, vehicles traveling in both directions must stop.
  • On a divided highway, vehicles behind the bus must stop. Vehicles traveling in the opposite direction may proceed with caution.
  • When approaching from any direction at a 4-way intersection, vehicles must stop for school buses with flashing red lights and an extended stop sign.
• Have all vehicle occupants wear their seatbelts.
• Pick-up and drop-off students in designated locations.

Pedestrians are reminded to:

• Cross the street at marked crosswalks and never against a red light.
• Look before you cross and follow the direction of school crossing guards and/or Arlington Public Schools staff members.
• Always walk on designated sidewalks or paths, never along the side of a road.

Bicyclists are reminded to:

• Wear your helmet.
  • Helmets are required for riders ages 14 and younger but are recommended for all.
• Keep right and ride with traffic.
• Secure your bicycle with a lock when not in use.
• Registering your bike is one of the best ways to help ensure it can be returned to you if it’s ever lost or stolen. Be sure to register your bicycle using Bike Index.

Whether you drive, bike, bus, walk or roll to school we all share the responsibility of making sure everyone makes it to class safely. Take a look at how Corporal Reyes explains how ACPD prioritizes safety in school zones.

General Safety Tips

Back-to-school is an opportune time to remind students about important ways to help keep them safe while out in the community. Parents and guardians are also encouraged to role-play possible situations with students and discuss personal safety and awareness tips.

Ensure students:

• Know their address, telephone number and how to contact a parent or guardian.
• Carry a photo ID.
• Remain aware of their surroundings.
• Walk or bike with another person, whenever possible. Stay in well-lit areas.
• Limit the use of devices that may distract them.
• Avoid engaging with or answering questions from strangers.
• Immediately report anything that makes them feel unsafe to a trusted adult.