Red Light Runners Beware, Enforcement Cameras Coming to York County
Intersection of Route 17 and Victory Boulevard will be the first to get new monitoring technology
York County will soon implement red light enforcement cameras to deter drivers from running certain traffic signals after the County’s Board of Supervisors adopted a new ordinance allowing the technology to be installed at several busy intersections. According to discussion at a recent Board meeting, the intersection of George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17) and Victory Boulevard will be the first to get the enforcement technology.
Violators will receive a $50 civil penalty for violations, meaning the fine is not a criminal conviction and does not affect a driver’s record or insurance. Evidence must be reviewed and affirmed by a York County deputy before a citation is issued, and motorists may rebut the presumption of violation if they can prove they were not driving or the vehicle was stolen.
Dangerous Intersections
York-Poquoson Sheriff Ron Montgomery emphasized that the program is about safety, not revenue, saying the goal was to deter “signal-light violations at particularly dangerous intersections.” According to Montgomery, the enforcement technology has been shown to reduce traffic accidents at monitored intersections by as much as 40%.
He cited several intersections where red light running has led to frequent crashes, especially George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17) and Victory Boulevard, which will be the first location to get the new cameras. “This is our most dangerous site right now,” Montgomery said, pointing to 169 crashes and 162 red light citations issued since January.
Although the County’s deputies attempt to control red light running at the intersection, a recent one-day study conducted on behalf of the County logged 119 red light violations, indicating the severity of the situation at the intersection. Montgomery pointed out that the intersection’s physical layout makes it difficult for deputies to identify and then safely stop violators without creating more risk. The intersection of Rt. 17 and Victory Boulevard is also considered by VDOT to be one of the most congested in Hampton Roads.
While the intersection at Route 17 and Victory Boulevard will be the County’s initial location for the technology, other high-priority sites may include Hampton Highway/Victory Boulevard and Fort Eustis Boulevard/Route 17.
Program Details and Enforcement
During a presentation to the Board, County Attorney Richard Hill explained that the new ordinance is authorized under current Virginia law which gives jurisdictions a tool similar to speed and school bus camera programs, which already in use in York County. The State allows one monitored intersection per 10,000 residents, meaning the County could potentially install the technology at up to seven intersections.
Montgomery described several safeguards that govern when a fine will be issued. For example, the chosen system must include a half second grace period after the light turns red before recording. State code also mandates that collected data must be purged promptly once cases are resolved.
Next Steps
The County will now begin implementing the new program by commissioning an engineering safety study, a required step before installation. Once completed, a vendor will be selected to install and operate the system. The County also plans to conduct a public awareness campaign as well as install street signs to alert drivers of the new enforcement technology.
The writer used AI tools and these sources:
Agenda - York County Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting - September 16, 2025
Video - York County Board of Supervisors - Regular Meeting - September 16, 2025
Ordinance - Traffic Signal Violation Monitoring and Enforcement
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