The City of Richmond is expanding its Safety Camera Program to address red light running at crash-prone intersections, with enforcement expected to begin at the end of September, weather permitting.

Chief of Police Rick Edwards said failing to stop at red lights can lead to serious injuries and fatalities. 

“These cameras will hopefully reduce collisions at these intersections, leading to safer roadways for all in Richmond,” he said. 

The Department of Public Works and the Richmond Police Department used crash and violation data to identify 10 pilot locations across the city’s High Injury Network. North of the James River, the locations include 25th Street and Main Street, Belvidere and Cary streets, Brookland Park Boulevard and Chamberlayne Avenue, Chamberlayne Parkway and Laburnum Avenue, and Mechanicsville Turnpike and Fairfield Way. South of the James River, cameras will be installed at Belt Boulevard and Hull Street Road, Cowardin Avenue and Hull Street, German School Road and Midlothian Turnpike, Commerce Road and Maury Street, and Hull Street Road and Warwick Road. 

Construction will begin at East Main and 25th streets, then proceed to the other locations. Signage will be posted at all camera sites. Each camera will operate 24 hours a day and, after a 30- day grace period, $50 citations will be issued to the registered owner of any vehicle that runs a red light, in accordance with the Code of Virginia. 

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, red light running caused more than 1,000 deaths and over 100,000 injuries in 2022. Cities with similar programs have seen red light running crashes drop by up to 21%. 

Officials are encouraging drivers to treat every red light as if it is monitored by a camera, not just to avoid a citation but to promote safety and support Richmond’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to eliminate traffic fatalities and serious injuries. 

For more information about the city’s safety camera program, visit rva.gov.