(The Center Square) — The Senate Transportation Committee set aside Thursday a bill expanding Virginia’s speed camera program, which generated over $19.9 million in paid citations last year.
Lawmakers delayed further action after confusion over its revised wording and overlap with similar legislation.
House Bill 2041, sponsored by Del. Holly Seibold, D-Fairfax, aimed to authorize local law enforcement to install speed cameras in high-risk areas, expanding their use beyond school and work zones.
However, the bill failed on a 9-6 vote because some provisions were already included in SB1233, which focuses on automated pedestrian crossing enforcement, and SB776, which allows stop sign monitoring.
Speed cameras have become a significant source of revenue for some localities across Virginia. In 2023, 12 agencies in Virginia reported 326,614 speed camera citations, leading to $19.9 million in fines, a 370% increase from the $4.2 million in 2022. School Zone violations accounted for $11 million, with the Chesapeake Police Department reporting $5.5 million.
Suffolk Police Department and Harrisonburg Police Department reported 133,957 Work Zone speed camera violations amounting to $8.9 million in paid penalties.
“We learned that public support for safety camera programs can erode when they’re poorly run or when people believe their only purpose is to generate revenue,” noting the bill ensures speed cameras are only there to protect communities, “especially pedestrians and bicyclists,” Seibold said before the committee.
Speed cameras are automated traffic enforcement devices that take pictures of vehicles speeding. They use radar or sensors to detect speeding before snapping a photo of the vehicle’s license plate and mailing a citation to the registered owner. The General Assembly passed the law allowing speed cameras in school and work zones across the state in 2020.
The Virginia Association of Counties, a nonprofit representing and advocating for the interests of county governments across the state, told The Center Square that while they support local law governments having the option to use speed cameras, they do oppose HB2041 because it directs revenue away from local communities, arguing that keeping funds at the local level “empowers communities to invest in critical programs and infrastructure improvements that directly address their unique needs and priorities.”
The bill seeks to ensure transparency by requiring localities to disclose speed locations and usage, establish advisory groups to review public concerns, and direct revenue exclusively toward operational costs. Any excess funds will be distributed back to the state treasury to address hazardous road, pedestrian and bike infrastructure.
The new requirements for theplacement, operation and oversight of speed cameras specify that two signs must be placed 1000 feet before the camera in an effort to encourage drivers to slow down. One of these signs is a feedback sign ensuring no hidden fees from vendors while instilling a $1,000 civil penalty.
Additionally, when a new speed camera is installed, drivers will receive a mailed warning instead of a summons during the first 30 days, and no civil penalties will be issued during that time.
Local and state agencies using the speed cameras would be required to report annual data on violations, prosecutions, operating costs, and collected fines to the Virginia State Police, which will report to the General Assembly.
