Q: How will I know which intersections have red light cameras?
A: Virginia legislation requires that localities place conspicuous signs within 500 feet of
the intersection in which a red light running camera is installed. In addition, localities
also are required to conduct a public awareness program advising the public that a
photo enforcement system is being implemented or expanded. All intersections are
listed on the PHOTOSafe information web page.
Q: Do cameras photograph every vehicle passing through an intersection?
A: No. Cameras are set so that they can only capture vehicles that enter the
intersection after the light has turned red. Vehicles that enter the intersection on
green or yellow and are still in the intersection when the light turns red are NOT
photographed. By Virginia law, the camera system can only capture violations after
the light has been red for .5 or ½ second. The delay in activation is commonly
referred to as a “grace” or “amnesty” period.
Q: Does the system enforce running right turns on red?
A: Yes. Virginia law requires all vehicles to stop on a red light signal. Right turns on
red are permitted unless otherwise posted. The camera will capture right turn
violations on vehicles that proceed without coming to a full stop. Virginia’s right turn
on red law can be viewed under the related information section on the main web page.
Q: How many negative driver points do I get and what is the fine?
A: The violation that is captured by a red light camera is a civil penalty and the
penalty assessed is $50. There are NO DMV driver demerit points and the violation is
NOT reported to DMV or the insurance companies. Further, the red light camera
offense does NOT count as a violation of probation involving DMV or the court.
Q: Who determines whether or not a violation has occurred?
A: All violations are reviewed and accepted or rejected by a sworn police officer. Any
vehicle that enters an intersection, including the crosswalks, after the light has
turned red is in violation and may be subject to a penalty. It should be noted that
Virginia Beach officers only accept approximately 40% of the violations they review.
Q: Can the officer give me a warning? Why did the City of Virginia Beach
give drivers a 30-day red light running warning period at the location where a
camera system was activated?
A: NO, officers only have the ability to accept or reject a violation. The warning period
only applied to the use of cameras at a specific intersection during the first 30 days of its
activation. The 30-day warning period was considered a part of the mandated public
awareness process for implementing or expanding the automated enforcement program.
Q: How do I review the violation?
A: You will be provided with three still photographs of your vehicle on the printed
violation notice with instructions to review the red light violation video over the internet
a PHOTOSafe program officer by calling 757-385-7235 to review the evidence and
discuss any mitigating circumstances associated with the red light running violation.
Lastly, the vehicle owner/driver can request a court date for the evidence to be heard in
the Virginia Beach General District Court. Red light camera cases are typically scheduled
on the 1st or 2nd Thursday of each month in Civil Court Room “A” at 2 pm.
Q: What happens when a funeral procession or emergency vehicle
continues through a red light at an intersection that it is photo enforced?
A: Special circumstances such as a funeral processions will be rejected by officers.
Emergency vehicle generated violations (Police, Fire, EMS) are reviewed by a police
supervisor in the interest of public safety. All violations are screened and reviewed
individually before a determination of a violation of law or policy is made.
Q: How is the timing interval determined between the red, yellow and
green traffic lights at an intersection?
A: The City of Virginia Beach Department of Traffic Engineering is responsible for
determining the traffic light timing intervals. Traffic signal timing for all monitored
intersections can be viewed by visiting the Signal Timing link under related
information section on the main web page.
Q: Does the City of Virginia Beach have a local ordinance as required by
Virginia State Code 15.2-968.1?
A: Yes, Virginia Beach Ordinance ORD-3048 amended the City Traffic Code and added
section 21-222 which authorizes the use of red-light photo monitoring systems. These
documents can be viewed in the information section of the main web page.
Q: What happens when the camera captures a Virginia Beach city vehicle?
A: City owned vehicle violations are processed in the same manner as citizen violations.
The difference is that all city violations are reviewed by a police supervisor and sent to
the vehicle’s director – Office of Risk Management, Virginia Beach Public Schools, etc. A
city of Virginia Beach vehicle violation is handled by policy as a personnel matter.
Q: I received a Treasurer’s invoice about my red light violation. How come
I never received the citation?
A: The delivery of the red light violation notice is dependent upon the accuracy of the
address you have listed with DMV. You cannot receive the citation if you moved and
failed to update your address with DMV. Additional resources are used to identify the
most recent address used by individuals with delinquent citations.
Q: What if I still have additional questions?
A: Contact the PHOTOSafe Program Coordinator by phone at (757) 385-7235 or by email