WASHINGTON — Think drivers go too fast down your road? You might need to make a special request to draw the attention of Fairfax County police.
“We generally only cite motorists when they exceed the speed limit by at least 10 miles per hour,” Sgt. Aaron Pfeiff said. “This does not mean that we cannot pull them over for less, when the circumstances call for it.”
Pfeiff said drivers ticketed for speeding less than 10 miles an hour over the posted limit are typically pulled over for other reasons such as tailgating, swerving, unsafe behavior or if there are adverse conditions, such as fog or rain.
District station commanders have the discretion to assign enforcement of violations less than 10 miles over the posted speed limit based on the circumstances of a specific location.
If you’re concerned about speeding in your neighborhood, Pfeiff said to contact your district station to ask for increased patrols or speed enforcement. (See full list below)
“Those requests are read to officers in that police district during roll call and they are expected to drive through those locations whenever possible throughout their shift,” Pfeiff said. “Our community members know what is going on in their neighborhoods where drivers often speed or miss stop signs or cross walks.”
The department has two or three officers at a time specifically dedicated to traffic enforcement and vehicle safety. Many neighborhood-related requests go to those officers who try to get to as many as they can.
Yearly collections of data on crashes, speeding, alcohol related infractions and other factors also help the department target areas for additional speed limit enforcement or education through portable sign boards.
If you’ve ever seen the yard sign: “Drive like your kids live here,” you can understand Pfeiff noting that Fairfax County is a transient community in that many drivers are only passing through while commuting.
“We just always ask you to be aware of your surroundings and be aware of your speed,” Pfeiff said. “And just keep the safety of others in your mind as you’re driving through the county.”
Fairfax County Police District Stations:
Sully District Station
703-814-7000
Mount Vernon District Station
703-360-8400
McLean District Station
703-556-7750
Mason District Station
703-256-8035
Reston District Station
703-478-0904
Franconia District Station
703-478-0904
West Springfield District Station
703-644-7377
Fair Oaks District Station
703-591-0966
