Prince William Supervisors Take Action On Red Light, Speed Camera Programs

PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, VA — Red light cameras will get more time to be launched and tested in Prince William County, while speed cameras will become a permanent fixture.

On Tuesday, the Prince William Board of County Supervisors voted to permanently adopt an automated camera program to enforce school zone and highway work zone violations. The board also approved a one-year extension of automated cameras to enforce red light violations to Aug. 31, 2026.

The county can use cameras to enforce violations of running red lights under a Virginia law. A traffic light violation can result in a $50 fine, but it will not affect driver's license records or points nor insurance premiums.

A county staff report noted that the program had been delayed amid negotiations with the Virginia Department of Transportation on access to signal equipment. Rick Canizales, director of transportation for Prince William County, told the board four cameras will be set up during the summer. The remaining five will be first set up through the rest of 2025. Canizales said the county will collect data during the summer, fall and winter and return to the board in the spring to seek board direction on the program's future.

Upcoming red light camera locations were shared by the Prince William Times. The first intersections include Linton Hall Road and Nokesville Road in Linton Hall, Richmond Highway and Gordon Boulevard in Woodbridge, Minnieville Road and Dale Boulevard in Dale City, and Prince William Parkway and Sudley Manor Drive in Manassas. Others are Prince William Parkway and Hoadly Road in the County Center area, Old Bridge Road and Harbor Drive in Lake Ridge, Old Centreville Road and Rugby Road in Yorkshire, Lee Highway and Heathcote Boulevard in Gainesville and Dumfries Road and Country Club Drive in Montclair.

Some supervisors expressed support about curbing dangerous conditions on roads in response to traffic fatalities.

Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin (D-Woodbridge) was initially skeptical of the program, noting concerns with "predatory" cameras in Washington, DC. However, she heard feedback from residents during the pilot program who were happy the county was addressing unsafe driver behavior.

"This started with a lot of the deaths that we've had on Cardinal Drive, so that really pushed us to really say that we have to do something bold and try something new," said Franklin. "Our officers can't be everything at once, so this also helps our police department with enforcement as well."

Supervisor Victor Angry (D-Neabsco) said he's observed drivers running red lights well after they've turned red.

"This isn't about the money that's generated from it. This is about the safety of us not having this issue occur, or maybe not having it occur as much as it has," said Angry.

"This is a result of when there were fatalities in our communities, and our transportation department got right on it to decide what can we do about when the chief said these are behavioral problems," said Supervisor Andrea Bailey (D-Potomac). "Running a light is a behavioral problem. So this is our answer."

SEE ALSO: Running Red Light Leads To Fatal Crash In Woodbridge: Police

The permanent speed camera program was adopted Tuesday without further board discussion. Vehicles caught going more than 10 mph over the speed limit receive a $100 fine mailed to the vehicle's registered owner. Under Virginia law, cameras can only issue citations during active school zone times when lights are flashing — when students are arriving and being dismissed. The citation does not affect driver's license points or insurance.

Speed cameras are currently set up near Battlefield High School (James Madison Highway), Belville Middle School (Dale Boulevard), Fitzgerald Elementary School (Benita Fitzgerald Drive), Patriot High School and T. Clay Wood Elementary School (Kettlerun Road), Rippon Middle School (Blackburn Road) and Woodbridge High School and Old Bridge Elementary School (Old Bridge Road).

Future cameras are planned at Benton Middle School and Cole Elementary School (Hoadly Road) and Pattie Elementary School and Washington Reid Elementary School (Dumfries Road). There have been no announcements of future work zone speed cameras.