Albemarle County Adding More Red Light Cameras?

Back to HomePage

Updated: 7:39 PM Feb 1, 2012

After a new report presented to the Albemarle County Board of Supervisors on Wednesday detailed the success of the red light cameras at the intersection of Route 29 and Rio Road, some drivers are asking the board for more of the controversial cameras.

Posted: 4:53 PM Feb 1, 2012
Reporter: Rachel Ryan
Email Address: rachel.ryan@newsplex.com

PhotoSafe Annual Report

width:480 and height: 360 and picwidth: 213 and pciheight: 159

Font Size:

February 1, 2012

The Albemarle County Police Department presented its annual report on the PhotoSafe program Wednesday to rave reviews. As the Board of Supervisors reviewed the data, some drivers at the meeting asked the board for more of the controversial cameras.

"The program needs to not only be maintained there but to be extended to other busy and dangerous intersections that we have throughout the county and the City of Charlottesville," said Jeanne Chase.

In the 13 months since the cameras - two on the southbound lanes of Route 29 and one on West Rio Road - have been installed at the intersection of Route 29 and Rio Road, police say a little more than 11,000 drivers have been caught running a red light.

Opponents of the cameras argued they would lead to a rise in rear-end collisions due to drivers slamming on the brakes when the light turns yellow. However, the report shows rear-end crashes went down compared to last year. Crashes at West Rio Road dropped from six to two and from eleven to eight on Route 29.

"It's a great tool to train drivers. Obviously it's working right now for us, but more importantly, it's about changing those driving habits," said Sgt. Darrell Byers.

Chase welcomes the extra set of eyes to help police monitor the roads and would like to see cameras installed at other busy intersections. "They need this tool to make us all more conscious. I think if we know that we're being watched by a viable source, by a viable tool, that we make sounder decisions when we are behind that wheel," she argued.

Fines collected from red light runners, $90,000 alone last year, go toward funding the PhotoSafe program. While the cameras are self-sufficient when it comes to cost, expansion remains uncertain.

"We do not have any plans right now for expanding the PhotoSafe program, but it's something we will definitely look in to," said Sgt. Byers.

Latest Comments

Posted by: Chuck on Feb 3, 2012 at 01:59 PM

Please cite your sources and the name of "most huge cities that have removed these" due to safety issues. While I hate the damned things, I have seen less close calls at the Rio Rd/Route 29 intersections since they have been put in place. I just wish they would increase the green light timing for left turns.

Posted by: John on Feb 2, 2012 at 03:09 PM

Really? Because I've personally noticed a huge decrease in people running red lights at Rio and 29. I drive through there all the time and I haven't gotten a ticket because I DON'T RUN RED LIGHTS. It's only a "tax" on stupidity and illegality.

Posted by: GHC on Feb 2, 2012 at 02:02 PM

why do you think that most large cities have removed these if they work so great??? They do NOTHING to improve the safety of that intersection,if anything having these makes it worse!!!The only thing that comes from these is $$$$ for the county!!!! Like your taxes are not high enough!!!!

Click here to post or read all 6 comments.

Live News	Weather Now	Desktop Alert
Mobile	iPhone App	Text Alerts
Facebook	Twitter	YouTube