STAFFORD COUNTY, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday night to adopt a new ordinance that will allow speed and red light cameras in school and highway work zones, a move aimed at improving road safety across the county.
The ordinance, O25-13, amends the county’s motor vehicle code to enable the use of automated photo speed monitoring devices in designated school and work zones and authorizes the placement of red light cameras at intersections. While state law already permits speed enforcement in these zones, a county ordinance was required to allow red light camera enforcement.
Major R. Jason Dembowski of the Stafford County Sheriff’s Office led the presentation at the public hearing, emphasizing that the initiative is focused on safety, not revenue generation.
“We do not have enough deputies to monitor every school zone each day,” said Dembowski. “This program allows us to leverage technology to make school zones safer.”
A pilot study at six county schools—including Drew Middle, Colonial Forge High, and Stafford Middle—revealed thousands of vehicles exceeding the speed limit by 10 miles per hour or more during just five days of monitoring. Drew Middle alone saw over 18,000 such violations on Route 1.
Under the new program:
- Speeding violations will carry a civil fine of up to $100.
- Red light violations will result in a civil fine of up to $50.
- Neither offense will impact DMV points or insurance rates.
- Deputies will be required to review all violations before a citation is issued.
The county may install up to 17 red light cameras, based on its population. School zones will be prioritized for both types of enforcement, though intersections with frequent accidents—such as those along Garrisonville Road (Route 610)—may be considered for future red light camera placement.
Several supervisors expressed support, citing concerns about speeding near schools and frequent accidents in high-traffic areas.
Vice Chair Tinesha Allen encouraged the sheriff’s office to consider placing one of the red light cameras along Route 610, calling the road “a choke point” for traffic when collisions occur. Supervisor Monica Gary highlighted a recent crash involving a speeding driver on Courthouse Road near multiple schools as a reason for swift action.
Although the technology will be implemented in phases, county officials and the sheriff’s office acknowledged the need for additional staff to monitor and process camera footage. The sheriff’s office expects to request funding for those positions in the FY27 budget.
With the board’s approval now secured, the sheriff’s office plans to begin vendor selection and infrastructure planning. The first cameras could be operational within six to eight months.
Stafford now follows neighboring Prince William County, which launched its own school zone speed camera program in 2024. As Potomac Local News previously reported, Prince William officials installed cameras near several schools and, after a six-month pilot period, voted to keep the program in place, citing reductions in speeding and positive community feedback.
PRINCE WILLIAM COUNTY, Va. – Speed cameras are here to stay outside schools and highway work zones in Prince William County.
The Board of County Supervisors voted 7–1 on June 3, 2025, to make permanent the use of automated photo-monitoring systems aimed at catching speeding drivers in high-risk areas. The decision removes a sunset clause from the 2023 pilot program and allows enforcement to continue indefinitely.
County officials say the cameras are working as intended. In monitored zones, the average speed of drivers dropped by 3 to 6 mph—a statistically significant improvement that’s helping protect children and workers on busy roads. There’s also been no increase in crashes where the cameras are in use.
Cameras Already Watching These School Zones
As of now, speed enforcement cameras are operating at the following locations:
- Battlefield High School – Route 15
- Woodbridge High School – Old Bridge Road
- Old Bridge Elementary School – Old Bridge Road
- Fitzgerald Elementary School – Benita Fitzgerald Drive
- Patriot High School – Kettle Run Road
- T. Clay Wood Elementary School – Kettle Run Road
More sites are expected to be announced in the coming months. County staff say all camera locations will be clearly marked with signage.
Here’s What to Expect if You’re Caught Speeding
Drivers going 10 mph or more over the speed limit in an active school or work zone can be fined up to $100. The violation is a civil penalty—it won’t impact your insurance or driving record unless a police officer issues a traditional ticket.
Citations are mailed to the vehicle owner. If someone else was driving, the owner can contest the citation. All images are reviewed and certified by law enforcement before a summons is issued.
Not About the Money, Officials Say
Supervisors backing the measure said the program is about saving lives, not generating revenue.
“This isn’t about the money—it’s about saving a life,” said Supervisor Victor Angry, who also pushed for higher fines. “People run through those red lights… clearly 30 seconds after they’ve turned red.”
Supervisor Kenny Boddye reminded colleagues that the program started after several fatal crashes, especially on Cardinal Drive. “Our officers can’t be everywhere at once,” he said.
Supervisor Margaret Angela Franklin, who initially opposed the cameras, said public feedback changed her mind. “They’re happy we’re taking proactive steps,” she said.
Supervisor Andrea Bailey added, “This is our answer… to make sure we’re addressing what’s going on in the community.”
Supervisor Bob Weir was the only vote against the ordinance.
The system is managed by Elovate, formerly Conduent, under a county contract approved in December 2023. The company is paid for its services—not by the number of tickets issued—to avoid any incentive to over-ticket.
All data collected is strictly regulated. It can’t be used for marketing, and all photos must be deleted within 60 days unless a summons has been issued.
While only six school zones currently have cameras, the program allows for expansion. County officials say additional sites will be rolled out, with public notice, in the near future.
“This is about sending a message,” Angry said. “If you’re speeding in our school zones, there will be consequences.”
This temporary program has been in place since April 2023, but was implemented in early 2024 in highway work zones and school crossing zones. In July 2024, the Board voted to extend the pilot period until Aug. 31, 2025. Transportation staff have now requested that the program become a permanent fixture of the county.
Rick Canizales, director of the county's transportation department, said that since the implementation of cameras in several school zones, the county has issued nearly 15,000 notices as of Dec. 3, 2024. Canizales noted that 10,677 of these notices were violations and 61% — or 6,463 — had been paid.
This article is exclusively for our Locals Only members. Please Sign In or upgrade to become a Locals Only Member today!
Your support helps us continue delivering more in-depth community news that matters to you. Thank you.
STAFFORD, Va. – The Stafford County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday took a major step toward launching a traffic camera program aimed at slowing down drivers in school zones and highway work areas.
Supervisors voted unanimously to authorize County Administrator Bill Ashton to advertise a public hearing for June 17, 2025. The hearing will give residents a chance to weigh in on a proposed ordinance that would allow speed and red-light enforcement cameras in designated areas.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
(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.
The Prince William County Department of Transportation is set to initiate the Automated Traffic Enforcement Pilot Program, which will place speed cameras in selected school zones across the county. The program aims to enhance residents’ safety by implementing measures to reduce severe injuries and fatalities on county roads.
The initial school zones where automated enforcement will be deployed include Battlefield High School on Route 15, Woodbridge High School and Old Bridge Elementary School on Old Bridge Road, Fitzgerald Elementary School on Benita Fitzgerald Drive, and Patriot High School and T. Clay Wood Elementary School on Kettle Run Road. More school zones will be added to the program in the coming months.
The pilot program will begin with a 30-day warning period at each location, during which speeding drivers receive warnings instead of fines. After the warning period, a $100 fine will be issued to drivers exceeding speed limits in these school zones. The citations will not impact driving records, demerit points, or insurance premiums.
Variable message boards will be placed at each school zone a week before activation to notify road users of the impending changes.
Gretchen Johnson, a county transportation department spokeswoman, acknowledged a four-month delay in the program, citing the time-consuming process of finalizing the contract with the vendor, conducting a full IT Risk Assessment, and obtaining necessary permits through VDOT. The transportation department has collaborated closely with schools to ensure preparedness for implementation, with most school zones receiving upgraded signage.
“We continue to work with VDOT and Prince William County Public Schools on permitting and school zone upgrades for the other identified school zones, and we anticipate those coming online in the very near future,” said Johnson.
Authorized by the Board of County Supervisors in 2023, the pilot program aims to evaluate automated enforcement’s effectiveness and safety benefits in various school zones with different road conditions. Cameras in work zones and at red lights are anticipated to be added later this year.
Citations and warnings will be sent to registered vehicle owners by mail, including information on speed, time, date, and an image of the rear of the speeding vehicle for privacy protection. The pilot program adheres to state code, ensuring no personal identifying information is recorded.
Registered vehicle owners receiving citations can reassign responsibility to another driver or contest the citation in court. The mailing will provide detailed instructions on how to pay or contest a citation, including email addresses, a website, and a phone number.
