A pair of studies indicated that speeding is not an ongoing problem in Alexandria’s Arcadia neighborhood, according to documents obtained from the Alexandria Police Department.
The first study, which took place in October 2021, tracked the speeds of 25,119 vehicles near the neighborhood entrance. The second, conducted in June, tracked the speeds of 10,230 vehicles at the intersection of Arcadia Boulevard and Elysian Way, deeper within the subdivision.
Arcadia’s geography is particularly hilly with roadways that often contain a number of dips and curves. These features can sometimes limit visibility.
In spite of this, Alexandria Police Chief Lucas Cooper noted at a recent safety committee meeting that the police department “didn’t see any difference in speed” after obstacles designed to slow traffic were installed. Moreover, data from the studies does not suggest people frequently speed when driving through the neighborhood.
The posted speed limit in Arcadia is 20 mph. Both studies suggested that the average speed of vehicles in the area was between 19 and 23 mph. Only three vehicles of the roughly 35,000 analyzed were clocked driving at speeds excessively over the speed limit, which both studies defined as 55 mph.
“I don’t think there’s an overall speeding problem,” Lucas said.
Still, he encouraged residents to report people who repeatedly drive at high speeds or who otherwise drive recklessly.
“We don’t have to catch them speeding just to go knock on their door,” he said.
Councilman Joe Anderson, who also sits on the safety committee, said that he preferred talking to offenders when possible “rather than writing them a ticket.” It would be better if the police could try to “resolve the issue that way,” he said.
The next safety committee meeting is scheduled for Nov. 17 at 6:30 p.m.