Extension For Speed Camera, Red Light Camera Pilot Programs Considered In PWC

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Prince William County's speed and red light enforcement cameras could get a green light for more of a test run.

On Tuesday, the Board of County Supervisors voted to set a public hearing to extend a pilot program for using cameras to catch red light and speed violations. The pilot program is a one-year trial with up to one highway work zone and up to ten school crossing zones for speeding enforcement and up to 10 signalized intersections for red light camera enforcement.

The public hearing date has not been set, but it would have to happen before the pilot program would expire after Aug. 31, 2024 unless the board grants a one-year extension.

The county has several school zone speed cameras active but none in work zones. The county is aiming to get the first red light cameras active in August.

As delays have affected the start of the red light camera enforcement, the county recommended additional time to evaluate the pilot program before considering a permanent program. When the red light cameras are placed, there will be a 30-day warning period with warnings issued to drivers. After that, $50 citations will be issued.

Rick Canizales, transportation director for Prince William County, told the board there has been a delay in starting the program as the county awaits Virginia Department of Transportation permitting.

"VDOT has slowed down giving permits for this as this program has been rolling out all over the state, and there's been issues and certain localities that have gone too fast and rolling it out and not checked off all the boxes," said Canizales. "So we're taking our time. We're making sure we check off all our boxes we're making sure we get the appropriate VDOT permits, and we're going to continue to roll this program out slowly and surely."

Some supervisors spoke in support of camera enforcement to improve traffic safety.

One of the problem areas for speeding has been Cardinal Drive in the Neabsco District with several traffic deaths in the last few years. But Virginia's speed camera law doesn't allow for a camera on Cardinal Drive since it is not a school crossing zone or highway work zone. That's why local leaders like Supervisor Victor Angry (D-Neabsco) pushed for other resources to curb speeding.

"We saw so many deaths on Cardinal [Drive] and you know, we finally said enough is enough, and that the county needs to have some type of resources that we can take into our own hands to make sure that we're sending a message," said Supervisor Margaret Franklin (D-Woodbridge).

Angry mentioned the safety risks associated with drivers running red lights, which he says has become the norm in Prince William County.

"We all know that when a light turns red and you have a green light, people literally have to count to five before you go because so many people are running red," said Angry. "It's become a part of life, and we need to stop that because those are where these accidents are happening."

The vote for a pilot program for speed cameras in school zones and highway work zones got unanimous approval from supervisors in April 2023. The red light camera program, however, was opposed by Supervisor Yesli Vega (R-Coles), Supervisor Bob Weir (R-Gainesville) and then-Supervisor Jeanine Lawson (R-Brentsville).

Weir said he continues to oppose the red light camera program and was the sole vote against it.

Supervisor Tom Gordy (R-Brentsville) abstained from the vote after saying he wants more information about how the program works to ensure it only cites red light violators. He noted safety concerns with a serious crash on Sunday night at Bristow Road and Route 28. However, Gordy noted his wife got a ticket in Manassas for getting stuck in the intersection behind a driver trying to turn left into a restaurant.

"I can't support it because I do think it's one thing if you're speeding, you're catching people at speed. You get the radar checks you. That's one thing," said Gordy. "But when you're going through an intersection, you may get stopped in that intersection or have to slow down into the intersection because of something that's happening in front of you, and then the light turns red. Then you get the camera."

Canizales said officers and the consultant providing the cameras takes a look at the enforcement camera footage to certify there was a violation before the violation goes out. He noted the intent of the pilot program is to test out if the cameras will work.

"We're putting in a limited amount of these throughout the county to be able to come back to you and give you the type of information you're looking for to see if the program is not working, if it's doing the sort of thing you're talking about, or if it's truly catching the people," said Canizales.

More about the Pilot Program

The board had asked for a study on automated traffic enforcement in 2022 before approving a pilot program in April 2023, as the county has experienced increasing crashes with severe injuries and fatalities since 2020. Cameras for red light violation enforcement has been allowed through Virginia legislation since 2007. Speed cameras are allowed only in school crossing zones and highway work zones through 2020 Virginia legislation.

A red light camera violation can result in a $50 citation, and school crossing zone and highway work zone speeding violations of 10 or more mph above the speed limit can result in a $100 fine. Both citations do not affect drivers' records, demerit points or insurance premiums. Citations are sent by mail to the vehicle's registered owner.

Cameras in five school zones began issuing citations earlier this year after 30-day warning periods. The Route 15/Battlefield High School location started issuing warnings on Feb. 15 and citations on March 18. The Old Bridge Road/Woodbridge High School and Old Bridge Elementary School camera went active on March 4, and the Kettle Run Road/Patriot High School and T. Clay Wood Elementary School location went active on May 6. The first school zones were chosen for speed cameras to represent "varying schools and road conditions," according to the county government.