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I live on a 2-lane scenic byway Albemarle County that is very curvy and has no shoulders and few intersecting roads. There is virtually no place for law enforcement to safely pull over speeders or other violators (such as cars passing on double solid yellow lines or overlength trucks that cannot safely navigate the curves). HBs 20, 521 and 905 would allow localities to utilize existing technology to safely enforce the traffic laws. These bills would enlarge Code Sec. 46.2-882.1, which already has procedural due process safeguards for vehicle owners, including (1) posting a sign within 1000 feet of the camera that it is in use, (2) the ability to contest the violation in court, (3) the fact that no citation issues unless the speed is more than 10 miles over the limit, and (4) the fact that no points are assessed against a driver unless the summons was issued by a law enforcement officer who was present at the time of the offense. The adage that "speed kills" is very true; automate speed enforcement technology is a good way to make the roads safer for drivers, pedestrians and law enforcement officers. Cameras are already used for other traffic violations (such as toll roads and HOV lanes). In some places, cameras are used to catch drivers who run red lights. Cameras can extend the coverage of police departments that are strapped by personnel shortages. THIS IS NOT A MONEY-MAKER FOR THE LOCALITIES, which must use their portion of the civil penalties collected to contract with vendors to install and maintain the camera equipment and provide the recordings to the law enforcement agencies that will issue summonses. My delegate (Amy Laufer) has patroned HB521. I strongly support that bill, as well as HBs 20 and 905, which give localities broader authority to enact ordinances to place speed cameras wherever they feel it is appropriate. HB461 is totally unnecessary because the 1000 foot warning sign requirement is already part of the law.

Please support allowing local jurisdictions to use speed cameras to enforce safe driving. They have been shown to work in slowing vehicles to near the posted speed limits. Adults and children need to be able to navigate our Commonwealth safely without being endangered by reckless drivers. Speed kills, too many pedestrians and vulnerable road users have died. These enforcement mechanisms have been shown to work in other areas. Allow local governments to use this important tool.

To the honorable members of the Transportation - Innovations (Ad Hoc) Committee, To help protect vulnerable Virginians walking, bicycling, and driving, I urge you to pass this legislation: * HB 20 Photo speed monitoring devices; location. * HB 905 Photo speed monitoring devices; location. More than 400 pedestrians were killed in Virginia from 2021-2023 (source: https://rvahub.com/2023/12/13/most-pedestrian-and-cyclists-deaths-caused-by-preventable-accidents-data-shows/). Virginia's county, city, and town governments need the flexibility and permission to install photo speed-monitoring devices wherever they know dangerous drivers are putting lives at risk. I applaud the Legislature's effort in past years permitting automated speed enforcement in school zones, but the City of Falls Church government could only find one place in the City that such a device would be permitted. We have speeding problems all over the City. In Falls Church, members of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Transportation that I chaired until last year were outraged when a traffic study found some drivers topping a jaw-dropping 70 mph on consecutive days on East Columbia Street, a residential street and oft-used bike route. Speeding can happen everywhere and at all times of day. Drivers have been killing pedestrians and bicyclists at astonishing and unacceptable rates across the country in recent years. Drivers struck and killed an estimated 7,485 people on foot in 2021 – the most pedestrian deaths in a single year in four decades and an average of 20 deaths every day, according to an estimate by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). In 2022, 141 people were killed while walking or biking in the D.C. metro area — 130 pedestrians and 11 bicyclists, according to Street Smart and WUSA9. That's a 37% increase compared to 2021. Speed cameras have proven to change drivers' dangerous behavior. The desired outcome is safe travel for everyone in public spaces, not to raise revenue. I want my 8-year-old daughter to be able to walk and bike to school someday, but we need more tools available to ensure safe driving. Please pass HB 20/HB 905. Thank you for your consideration and for your work to make Virginia safer.

I support legislation that allows localities to use speed cameras to improve safety and quality of life for all road users, as well as pedestrians and cyclists.

I'm writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. Driving over the speed limit makes our communities less safe, limits our opportunities to live, work and play, and leads to serious injuries and death — not to mention increased pollution through tire dust particulates and lower fuel efficiency. Automated speed enforcement is a tool that can help with all of these factors — simply put, stopping driving over the speed limit speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

Please allow the expansion of speed cameras and make less restrictions on their placement. Speeding in our neighborhoods is out of control and there are not enough police to ensure people are driving at the appropriate speed. I wish people would not speed, but unfortunately the reckless driving is pervasive in the state’s culture right now. From rural Virginia to the suburbs and cities, speed cameras are a reasonable solution that communities can use to enhance road safety. I strongly support HB 20 and HB 905.

To whom it may concern, I am writing in opposition to HB20’s proposed expansion of automated speed cameras in our wonderful state. There are alternatives such as Dynamic Speed Monitoring Displays (DSMD) that will immediately notify citizens of their speed where as these speed cameras, outsourced to private for-profit companies, will result in civil fines sent via mail weeks after a speeding incident and the car owner has to prove innocence whether they were driving or not. A study I discovered (https://highways.dot.gov/media/15211) “found a statistically significant decrease in overall vehicle speed immediately after the installation of the DSMD signs. The average speed reduction across all of the study sites was seven mph and it was found that these speed reductions were maintained over the course of the one year duration of the study.” If you look at the statistics for Chicago and Washington D.C. - the speed cameras are not making cities safer; in fact fatalities have increased. Are we going to have speed cameras every few feet and make Virginia like China? State Sen. Declan O'Scanlon, a New Jersey Republican, said that lawmakers in his state "heard from constituents all over the place" opposing the traffic cameras before scrapping the program. The city of Buffalo conducted a study https://finesandfeesjusticecenter.org/content/uploads/2022/06/Speed-Camera-Data-Report-5.6.2021.pdf which found the program to significantly impact low-income, high poverty, and minority communities. I would hope none of you want this for our state and respectfully request your support in rejecting the HB20 proposed expansion of speed cameras and keep the state of Virginia free of these systems that people such as Fleximan in Italy and in the UK, Australia and other locations are beginning the movement to destroy these revenue generating speed cameras. Thank you for voting against HB20!

Automated speed enforcement is an essential tool for making our roads safer. We can't rely on the old "catch me if you can" attitude--it's not a game. And human enforcement is inefficient, expensive and very limited. Please vote to make this needed method available all over Virginia.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I fully 100% support speed ticket camera/photo enforcement bills to pass into law for 2024. Virginia fatality road deaths are TOO HIGH on per Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller statements in 2023 and 2024 General Assembly. 1. VDOT in Fauquier County office has failed to provide proper safe shoulder widths on Route 17 between Marshall to Warrenton which is a 8.5 four lane major commercial and commuter highway. When vehicle crashes happen on Rte 17 the emergency fire trucks and ambulances cannot get to the crash site in a efficient time because the traffic backs up quickly for 1-4 miles due to current VDOT count of over 7 million vehicles per year using this section of Rte 17. Tractor trailers and automobiles cannot move out of the way due to not wide enough road shoulders and steep ditch drop offs. Speeding is the primary problem on Route 17 so reducing the speeding problem reduces the crashes due to increased reaction time by the driver. Speed ticket camera's will greatly reduce the speeding to help police get it under control. 2. School buses use Route 17 to drop off and pick up children in Fauquier County. By law the school bus driver MUST stop in the RIGHT hand lane of Route 17. The problem became so bad years ago that the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors, and past Sheriff Robert Mosier had to put cameras on all exterior sides of the school buses to help police catch speeders who would NOT stop per law when the school bus stopped. Speed ticket camera's are allowed currently since 2020 in school zones in Virginia where children are picked up and dropped off. Route 17 is simply a extension of the school zone and speed ticket camera's are gravely needed to reduce this speeding problem for the safety of school children as a MORE efficient way to stop the speeding. 3. A $100 fine citation issued by a Speed Ticket Camera has a Sheriff Deputy police officer involved in the review of the citation in Fauquier County, as well as x2 employee's of the Vendor Blue Line Solutions company that implements the Speed Ticket Camera technology which also hires ex-police officers. Anyone receiving a citation has the option to go to court to fight the citation if they choose. Speed ticket camera's DO NOT show favoritism to any drivers. They issue a citation at 11mph over the set speed limit. They do the job very well in any weather condition and DO NOT get sick from COVID or other diseases. They are a great assistance to overwhelmed police forces so police can focus on other serious public safety problems in Virginia. 4. Photo Enforcement camera technology already exists in Virginia which is NOT a invasion of privacy such as: 4a. On I-66 and other roadways by DMV and VDOT to collect Express lane and HOV lane drivers and violators. 4b. Used on exterior of school buses in Fauquier County to help catch speeders passing stopped school buses. 4c. Used on road construction area's. 4d. Used in Walmart Warrenton Parking lot for public safety. Speed ticket camera's are a sensible solution to increase public safety and NOT an invasion of privacy. 5. Rte 17 traffic volume grows yearly in Fauquier per VDOT data by 100,000 to 200,000 per year. Currently over 7 million. Over 4 million speeders. Police speed tickets average 300-500 max on Rte 17 Marshall to Warrenton per year

The Coalition for Smarter Growth strongly supports expanding the use of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) to improve safety on our roads and helping to reduce the alarming rate of traffic-related fatalities and injuries in Virginia. ASE is a proven tool for reducing speeding in areas where it is deployed. Fairfax County’s pilot ASE program implemented last year in school zones showed the ability of ASE to change drivers’ behavior with significant reduction in speeding during school hours. Expanding its use would allow these benefits in other critical areas of our communities. By deploying an ASE program, law enforcement can more efficiently enforce speed limits across its jurisdiction, providing greater coverage, and freeing up resources for other critical tasks. Additionally, ASE provides fairer and more consistent application of traffic regulations, as it eliminates human biases in monitoring and issuing citations. Only drivers who are speeding and creating unsafe conditions face citation. This is not about the money. The most important benefit is reducing speeding and encouraging safer driving behaviors, which would actually result in fewer citations. The safety benefits are clear. We ask that you help improve roadway safety in our communities by allowing expanded use of ASE.

I am in support of HB657 and HB20 to improve the pedestrian crosswalks in Old Town Fairfax City. I would like to see each intersection to have a traffic light cycle where all cars are stopped so pedestrians can walk any direction in the crosswalk; corner to corner and diagonal. This will eliminate pedestrian accidents by cars turning into a crosswalk with pedestrians and provide additional safe walkways for all pedestrians strolling in the Old Town area for shopping and restaurants. In addition, install speed cameras on select roads in Fairfax City that are main pedestrian walking and biking roads and where drivers continually exceed the speed limit. Specifically George Mason Blvd and Chain Bridge Road have heavy pedestrian use through active residential and downtown business areas. More often than not drivers are exceeding the speed limits by over 20 mph endangering pedestrians and bicyclists.

I would particularly favor endorsement of efforts to permit greater traffic camera speed enforcement. I have lived in Fairfax County for 18 years, but as someone who lived in Germany for six years, the police there rely on automatic camera infrastructure to slow traffic and catch red light failures. Ultimately, patrol cars were viewed in a much less adversarial manner than in the U.S. as the speed cameras did the bulk of the unpleasant dirty work. I write this even as one who did receive an automated ticket in the early 1990's because of my poor driving. That ticket made me much more conscious of stopping for yellow lights. Traffic control cameras are both a traffic calming measure, but also are effective at slowing speeders and aggressive drivers. Rational speeds and automated enforcement would certainly help reduce the 20,000+ annual traffic deaths in America.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

Please pass this bill to keep me safer. There is a school near my house that I bike past 3-4 times a week in Fairfax County. Since an automated speed enforcement camera was introduced, there has been a significant slowing of traffic through the area. As a cyclist, I now choose that road over a parallel one that doesn't have the camera. Both roads have bike lanes, both have a significant downhill that encourages speed. But the one with the camera, even during non-operating hours, has become safer as motorists pay more attention to how fast they're traveling. Please give our local supervisors the ability to place cameras where the community has clearly shown that they are necessary.

We live on Rt 231 in Albemarle County and people speed on this curvy two lane highway and numerous accidents have occurred right in front of my house, which is on a curve. Speed cameras will make it safer so drivers will slow down! Please make this happen so fewer drivers will speed. Thank you.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

FAVOR. I am fed up with flagrant speeders both on the streets in my community and on the open road. I am also fed up with being tailgated by such people. I support more speed monitoring cameras in all locations EXCEPT ON DOWNGRADES. The District of Columbia had a speed camera and a limit of 25 m.p.h. on the K St. approach to I-66, a place where drivers were expecting to speed up. It was on a downgrade, making violation more likely -- and while I never triggered it, I upset the guy behind me the first time I encountered it. The Town of Front Royal has decreasing speed limits on two successive downgrades of Rte. 55 west coming into town. The design of the road looks to me to be fine for 35 m.p.h. I am OK with them setting the speed limit to whatever speed they want, but the decreased limit should take place at the top of a hill, not the bottom.

Please expand use of automated speed enforcement (ASE, aka speed cameras) beyond the current limitations of school zones and construction zones into high-risk pedestrian corridors. Please allow bicyclists to follow ped signals and treat stop signs as yield signs. These are proven ways to improve road safety. We need to make our roads safer for everyone and welcoming for those choosing modes other than driving.

I am a resident of Dunn Loring and oppose any and all efforts to establish or place speed cameras outside of school zones. These cameras do nothing to stop speeders, and are almost exclusively used to impose onerous fines on those that cannot afford them. Similarly, towns setting speed limits below 25mph has been historically used as a tool to selectively enforce rules with the effect of disproportionately affecting minorities. If speed is an issue, road design is the solution. Narrower lanes, hard bike lanes, and more traffic lights are the solution, not a money grab by way of automated fines administered by a third party in the private sector. I am an active voter and will actively oppose anyone voting for regulations that allow for automated traffic enforcement.

Speed Ticket Camera's: DO NOT get sick from COVID or other diseases. Always ready to do the job to enforce speed limits. DO NOT Abandon their post, or look for work elsewhere for higher paying salaries. DO NOT get injured on the job, or harmed by a violent driver in the car. Are NOT Prejudice regarding race or gender, and DO NOT show favoritism of social-economic status or business relations. Do the job 24 hours a day if programmed that way, 365 days a year. Function day and night, in any weather. Proven data from other states that speeding reduces quickly over time. Free up Law Enforcement to focus on other speeding locations where cameras are not present. Free up Law Enforcement to engage in many other society problems and responsibilities. What Speed Ticket Camera's Cannot Do that Police Can Do: Just about everything else that is criminal behavior and to protect and serve communities. Police will always have jobs to do because we have alot of problems in society and Fauquier County. Police forces are struggling since COVID 2020 to refill positions as are just about any business is these days. Data from VDOT, Sheriff and State Police show speed citations dropped around covid because there were less police to address the speeding problems, but VDOT data shows speeding was STILL VERY MUCH present in the millions on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton. They issue a speed citation at 11mph over the set speed limit, so some speeding is still being allowed. Parents or guardians will end up having conversations with the young drivers in their homes to be aware NOT to speed. My father had same conversation with me back when I was 16 with 1st drivers license driving the family car. He told me any tickets I get I will be paying him back thru summer work. Any damages done to the vehicle I will pay him back thru summer work. I never got a speeding ticket, but I did put a dent in my father's truck backing up into a pole and I had to pay for it. I NEVER dented the car again after that bill to fix it. Young drivers are MORE prone to cause crashes that lead to death and injury and that is why insurance rates are MUCH higher for them. So parents having conversations IN ADVANCE knowing speed ticket camera's are present on Fauquier Roads will establish GOOD driving behavior before it gets BAD and dangerous. Best education starts in the home with Mom and Dad, and speed ticket camera's will stimulate that because Mom and Dad will NOT want to get a $100 bill in the mail. Some Virginia counties are implementing a 1st time citation to be only $50 so as to provide a KIND WARNING Wake UP Call . I think that is fair, and legislation could work that into the various speed ticket camera bills as needed.

I support speed ticket cameras to be allowed on dangerous roads in Virginia, especially Route 17. These devices will get the speeding under quick serious control. This is NOT about making money as I have read in some online articles about speed ticket camera's. They do make money as does any citation would, however if they make a lot of money it is because an area must have a SERIOUS speeding problem in that area. The online articles often refer to the money reinvested back into a county to repair or implement other public safety project needs that otherwise would NEVER get done or cause the need to raise our taxes. Its a WIN-WIN situation. Lives will be saved thru less crashes due to speeding, and I constantly see people driving and texting on Route 17 all the time. It scares me often. Police just cannot keep up with the speeding problem, and I am watched a video for Richmond General Assembly 2024 session about how gangs, drugs and human trafficking are on a continued dangerous rise. So let the speed ticket camera's help take a HUGE burden off of police on the worst roads so they can focus on these other criminal elements PLEASE. Republicans from information shared with me show they have primarily VOTED NO for these bills and stopped them multiple times in the past. We need these devices and the technology is available to support them now in 2024 so USE IT. These devices are proven to work well in Maryland, and Ohio and other states. Tractor trailers using Route 17 is going to continue to rise due to the Ports of Virginia growth I per trade journals I read. They care only about speeding thru Fauquier to make money to deliver cargo quicker. I rarely see them pulled over by police, except for more recently around June thru September 2023 which I was told was due to a fellow supporter speaking with Governor Youngkin helping us out some. If the Governor made a call to get the police out on Route 17 for speeding than the problem must be bad.

I support HB 20, 461, 521, 533, 905, 1032 that all have to do with Speed Ticket Camera to ASSIST police to get the long term speeding under serious control. Too many tractor trailers tailgating drivers to speed above the 55mph speed limit on Route 17. Commuter vehicles DO NOT respect locals when they slow down to turn into driveways off of Rte 17 with TOO MANY near misses. Some citizens have died due to speeding while texting. Information in this posting is specific to Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton which is dangerous with many large and small hills, blind curves and x3 Deadly intersections of Belvoir Rd, Old Tavern Rd and Blantyre Road where crashes occur a lot at Old Tavern Rd intersection. VDOT made some minor upgrades at Old Tavern Rd intersection, but primarily is NOT Helping as speeding still continues. VDOT's actions are typically NOT affective to help and ignore majority of citizens input at June 7th 2022 Public Meeting to simply lower the speed limit to 45mph or 50mph from Warrenton to Marshall as a way to help traffic enter and exit Route 17. Slow moving LONG equestrian and farm livestock trailers are at highest risk plus the school buses trying to navigate ONTO or OFF of Route 17 due to speeding in both directions. The gaps have become much more limited than in the past to find SAFE breaks in the traffic flows in both directions. Speed Ticket Camera's function in the following sensible way: 1. Issue speed ticket at 11mph over the speed limit. State Police and Fauquier Sheriff Dept data combined with VDOT data shows Millions of speeders above the 55mph zone on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton yet only around 300 to 400 speed citations issued per year COMBINED by State Police and Deputies on this section of Route 17. 2. Police data shows they Primarily write speed citations at 74mph in a 55mph zone on Route 17. Speed ticket cameras would issue a citation at 66mph in a 55mph zone which is MUCH better and would capture MILLIONS of speeders to STOP speeding. 75mph in a 55mph zone in Virginia per law is Reckless driving, so police are allowing reckless driving before they engage to chase down a speeder if the police are even present. They are outnumbered and NEED HELP thru Technology. 3. Cameras ONLY take photo of rear of Vehicle so no invasion of privacy. DMV and VDOT camera systems on I-66 HOV lanes to collect payment and issue fines. Camera systems also mounted on poles all along I-66. School buses in Fauquier have camera systems on ALL sides of a bus to help capture speeders that are supposed to STOP behind a school bus picking up or Dropping off children on Rte 17. Warrenton Walmart, grocery stores and businesses have camera's in their parking lots. Cell phones are worst tracking of a person privacy than they realize. So invasion of privacy is a POOR excuse NOT to implement these devices that will save peoples lives thru speed reduction. 4. Because school buses on Rte 17 drop off and pick up children as they do in school zones where speed ticket cameras are now allowed per 2020 law, Rte 17 essentially is a EXTENSION of a SCHOOL zone. Rte 17 is MUCH more Dangerous than a school zone, and the school buses BY LAW must STOP in the RIGHT hand lane of Rte 17 and NOT allowed to pull off onto a shoulder. Shoulder lanes barely exist anyway. 5. VDOT has NOT provided wide enough shoulder widths for police safe enforcement. Speed Ticket Cameras DO NOT need widened road shoulders to do the job well.

I support HB 20, 461, 521, 533, 905, 1032 that all have to do with Speed Ticket Camera to ASSIST police to get the long term speeding, increasing fatalities and injuries due to vehicle crashes on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton (8.5 Miles). Police need HELP and unable to keep the speeding under long term control. Statements by Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller said to Senate Transportation Committee and House of Delegate Transportation Committee in 2023 and 2024: "Critically important to them is public safety and highway deaths are still a serious problem in Virginia for many years. Over 1000 deaths per year on Virginia highways for many years in Virginia is too many and that needs serious attention." Used the analogy that if 1000 deaths were from x3 jet airliners crashing in the same year that it would garner immediate attention to fix it, but because the deaths are spread out across a year on Virginia Highways in different locations it does not get serious attention. NOTE* Mr Miller made no mention of the many other regular road ways that have speeding and fatalities besides just on highways. Terrance C. Cole Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security said to House of Delegates Public Safety Committee on January 12th 2024. "Overall decline in individuals serving in law enforcement has placed additional strain on existing personal.” "Police forces are under INCREASING Threats, and causes increase stress, PTSD, and anxiety in their lives." This supports the need for Speed Ticket Camera's to assist police to get a serious handle of the out of control speeding for public safety all over Fauquier County and Virginia because of police forces diminished since COVID and struggling to hire more officers per my direct contact with State Police about this also. State Police informed me COVID just sped up a known problem with many State Police Officers were ready for retirement, and past Sheriff Robert Mosier said in all his years in law enforcement he had NEVER witnessed the mass exodus of police forces. Terrance Coal Secretary of Homeland Security and Public Safety stated the following facts to the House of Delegate Public Safety Committee at this 2024 Session: 1. Human and sex Trafficking has increased in Virginia Common Wealth and linked to gangs and organized criminal organizations. Violent crimes on the rise. Public safety is a serious position, and emphasized killing of kids is happening due to gang growths. 2. Illegal Drugs in Virginia also on the rise. Mexican cartels stated as main problem distributing Fentanyl is the main problem and serious influence in Common Wealth of Virginia. More dangerous drugs on the rise such as Nitazene that is 10x deadlier than Fentanyl. 3.Gang activity increasing in common wealth of Virginia. 648 Home Grown and National Gangs operating in Virginia. “The commonwealth of Virginia is experiencing significant public safety and homeland security challenges which is attributed to the violence associated with Street Gangs, Human / Labor Trafficking, Influx of illegal narcotics, Legislation which has weakened law enforcement’s ability to interdict, sale of unregulated marijuana products” Essentially POLICE have plenty of work to keep them BUSY protecting society from further break down. Speed Ticket Camera's can address the speeding problem to allow police to focus more on gangs, drugs and human sex trafficking.

I enthusiastically SUPPORT HBs 20, 21, 282, 532, 533, 657, 793, 812, 905, 1071, 1072, and 1077. Thank you.

I received a notice for a speed camera violation today, $100 on 1/17/24 for an incident which allegedly occurred June 20, 2023 in Suffolk, VA. It was the first the first time I'd seen the notice and it was labelled "DELINQUENT." As I lease my current vehicle, the notice was sent directly to the dealer through whom I have my lease, and not to me, the driver, listed on the DMV registration. My dealership sent me the notice which I received TODAY, 7 months later. Not only does the notice NOT indicate an exact location along the stretch of Pruden Blvd where the violation was supposed to have occurred, so I have no way of knowing the context or distance my vehicle was supposed to have travelled during the Work Zone. I was stunned to discover from a WAVY 10 News article from December 18, 2023 that over $5M in revenue had been generated by speed camera fines for the Suffolk government within 4 months. What also shocked me was that the news reporter stated only 1% of persons fined even choose to go to court. Another shock I received upon accessing the online website, was that there was a SECOND violation posted for my vehicle a day earlier, for which I have never received a notice, and for which I was fined an additional $100. Yes, this bill is detrimental, Mr. Jones, at so many levels! Has anyone considered at all how many speed limit changes there are on Highway 460 from Highway 58 north to Interstate 95? Think about it!!!

Comments Document

I oppose HB 20. Permitting the use of "traffic enforcement cameras" in the first place was not only a bad idea, but it is also unconstitutional under the Virginia and United States constitutions. I agree with the analysis that the Rutherford Institute submitted in opposition to HB1442 in 2020. A copy of that letter is attached. For HB20 to give localities the incentive to expand the use of these devices would only worsen the error that was made three years ago and would result in further infringements on the rights of Virginians. The broad language that allows a locality to put the cameras anywhere they deem necessary is a guarantee that they will be put up in locations that would have nothing to do with the safety of the roads, but that "safety" will be used as a pretext for surveillance that would otherwise be forbidden by the highest law of our Commonwealth and nation. This bill must be voted down.

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I'm writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. Driving over the speed limit makes our communities less safe, limits our opportunities to live, work and play, and leads to serious injuries and death — not to mention increased pollution through tire dust particulates and lower fuel efficiency. Automated speed enforcement is a tool that can help with all of these factors — simply put, stopping driving over the speed limit speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I am writing in full SUPPORT of HB21, HB461, HB521, HB533, HB905, and HB1072, regarding photo speed monitoring devices and regarding expansion of school zone definitions. As a major advocate for the addition of school bus stop arm cameras, which I am thrilled passed, my support is rooted in improving the safety of our community's pedestrians and cyclists. In communities around the Commonwealth, there is an important and valuable push toward making our neighborhoods and towns more walkable and more bicycle-friendly. But in today's environment, it's a dangerous and often deadly choice for those who do try to walk or cycle, as drivers exceeding the speed limit is the norm, and police departments cannot possibly monitor and patrol every road and intersection. Speed monitoring equipment would be effective and efficient, with the end goal of reducing speeds and reducing violations. I know some citizens cry, "It's a money grab!" No, it's not. Don't speed, and you won't get fined. (Similarly, don't go around a school bus when its stop arm is out, and you won't get fined.) The irony of those citizens' 'money grab' argument is that the localities that are advocating for speed monitoring systems want to REDUCE speeders, thereby reducing any revenue that might result from the equipment. In terms of school zones, I live within one mile of four schools in our community, and I routinely witness cars speeding on our city's primary, secondary, AND tiny neighborhood streets; ignoring crosswalks; running stop signs and red lights; and not slowing down even for backpack-wearing kids or dog walkers as their single focus is getting their child to school or as they're late for after-care pickup. At the same time, walkers are trying to safely cross the road to reach the schools, and the number of near-misses I've personally witnessed would curl your toes. A key solution would be speed monitoring systems, which is about the only thing that seems to scare drivers straight. It's a proven tool for changing behavior, and a proven tool for achieving our goal: decreasing driver speed, decreasing violations, and decreasing deadly encounters between cars and humans. Lastly, I'm in full support of giving localities the right and responsibility of determining where to install equipment; we know our roads, driver habits, and problem areas intimately well, and the placement of such devices will therefore be far more effective in reducing violations and speeding while increasing the safety of our citizens. We MUST make our communities safer, pursue avenues for making walking and cycling more attractive so that we can reduce our dependence on greenhouse-gas-emitting automobiles, and allow our localities to make informed decisions for the communities they know best. Thank you. Stephanie Oppenheimer 610 N Oak St Falls Church VA 22046 skylitecomm@yahoo.com 703.856.3995

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

On behalf of Greater Richmond Fit4Kids, we support Delegate Jones’ HB 21 and Delegate Carr’s HB 1072. We deliver the Safe Routes to School Program for Richmond City, to promote safe walking, biking, and rolling to school. We are supportive of expanding the definition of “school crossing zones” to increase student and family pedestrian safety, moderate traffic speeds, and assist with controlling traffic and crossings near schools and other areas where children are present. Thank you.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I enthusiastically SUPPORT HBs 20, 21, 282, 532, 533, 657, 793, 812, 905, 1071, 1072, and 1077. Thank you.

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I live on a 2-lane scenic byway Albemarle County that is very curvy and has no shoulders and few intersecting roads. There is virtually no place for law enforcement to safely pull over speeders or other violators (such as cars passing on double solid yellow lines or overlength trucks that cannot safely navigate the curves). HBs 20, 521 and 905 would allow localities to utilize existing technology to safely enforce the traffic laws. These bills would enlarge Code Sec. 46.2-882.1, which already has procedural due process safeguards for vehicle owners, including (1) posting a sign within 1000 feet of the camera that it is in use, (2) the ability to contest the violation in court, (3) the fact that no citation issues unless the speed is more than 10 miles over the limit, and (4) the fact that no points are assessed against a driver unless the summons was issued by a law enforcement officer who was present at the time of the offense. The adage that "speed kills" is very true; automate speed enforcement technology is a good way to make the roads safer for drivers, pedestrians and law enforcement officers. Cameras are already used for other traffic violations (such as toll roads and HOV lanes). In some places, cameras are used to catch drivers who run red lights. Cameras can extend the coverage of police departments that are strapped by personnel shortages. THIS IS NOT A MONEY-MAKER FOR THE LOCALITIES, which must use their portion of the civil penalties collected to contract with vendors to install and maintain the camera equipment and provide the recordings to the law enforcement agencies that will issue summonses. My delegate (Amy Laufer) has patroned HB521. I strongly support that bill, as well as HBs 20 and 905, which give localities broader authority to enact ordinances to place speed cameras wherever they feel it is appropriate. HB461 is totally unnecessary because the 1000 foot warning sign requirement is already part of the law.

I'm writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. Driving over the speed limit makes our communities less safe, limits our opportunities to live, work and play, and leads to serious injuries and death — not to mention increased pollution through tire dust particulates and lower fuel efficiency. Automated speed enforcement is a tool that can help with all of these factors — simply put, stopping driving over the speed limit speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I am writing in full SUPPORT of HB21, HB461, HB521, HB533, HB905, and HB1072, regarding photo speed monitoring devices and regarding expansion of school zone definitions. As a major advocate for the addition of school bus stop arm cameras, which I am thrilled passed, my support is rooted in improving the safety of our community's pedestrians and cyclists. In communities around the Commonwealth, there is an important and valuable push toward making our neighborhoods and towns more walkable and more bicycle-friendly. But in today's environment, it's a dangerous and often deadly choice for those who do try to walk or cycle, as drivers exceeding the speed limit is the norm, and police departments cannot possibly monitor and patrol every road and intersection. Speed monitoring equipment would be effective and efficient, with the end goal of reducing speeds and reducing violations. I know some citizens cry, "It's a money grab!" No, it's not. Don't speed, and you won't get fined. (Similarly, don't go around a school bus when its stop arm is out, and you won't get fined.) The irony of those citizens' 'money grab' argument is that the localities that are advocating for speed monitoring systems want to REDUCE speeders, thereby reducing any revenue that might result from the equipment. In terms of school zones, I live within one mile of four schools in our community, and I routinely witness cars speeding on our city's primary, secondary, AND tiny neighborhood streets; ignoring crosswalks; running stop signs and red lights; and not slowing down even for backpack-wearing kids or dog walkers as their single focus is getting their child to school or as they're late for after-care pickup. At the same time, walkers are trying to safely cross the road to reach the schools, and the number of near-misses I've personally witnessed would curl your toes. A key solution would be speed monitoring systems, which is about the only thing that seems to scare drivers straight. It's a proven tool for changing behavior, and a proven tool for achieving our goal: decreasing driver speed, decreasing violations, and decreasing deadly encounters between cars and humans. Lastly, I'm in full support of giving localities the right and responsibility of determining where to install equipment; we know our roads, driver habits, and problem areas intimately well, and the placement of such devices will therefore be far more effective in reducing violations and speeding while increasing the safety of our citizens. We MUST make our communities safer, pursue avenues for making walking and cycling more attractive so that we can reduce our dependence on greenhouse-gas-emitting automobiles, and allow our localities to make informed decisions for the communities they know best. Thank you. Stephanie Oppenheimer 610 N Oak St Falls Church VA 22046 skylitecomm@yahoo.com 703.856.3995

Please allow the expansion of speed cameras and make less restrictions on their placement. Speeding in our neighborhoods is out of control and there are not enough police to ensure people are driving at the appropriate speed. I wish people would not speed, but unfortunately the reckless driving is pervasive in the state’s culture right now. From rural Virginia to the suburbs and cities, speed cameras are a reasonable solution that communities can use to enhance road safety. I strongly support HB 20 and HB 905.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I fully 100% support speed ticket camera/photo enforcement bills to pass into law for 2024. Virginia fatality road deaths are TOO HIGH on per Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller statements in 2023 and 2024 General Assembly. 1. VDOT in Fauquier County office has failed to provide proper safe shoulder widths on Route 17 between Marshall to Warrenton which is a 8.5 four lane major commercial and commuter highway. When vehicle crashes happen on Rte 17 the emergency fire trucks and ambulances cannot get to the crash site in a efficient time because the traffic backs up quickly for 1-4 miles due to current VDOT count of over 7 million vehicles per year using this section of Rte 17. Tractor trailers and automobiles cannot move out of the way due to not wide enough road shoulders and steep ditch drop offs. Speeding is the primary problem on Route 17 so reducing the speeding problem reduces the crashes due to increased reaction time by the driver. Speed ticket camera's will greatly reduce the speeding to help police get it under control. 2. School buses use Route 17 to drop off and pick up children in Fauquier County. By law the school bus driver MUST stop in the RIGHT hand lane of Route 17. The problem became so bad years ago that the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors, and past Sheriff Robert Mosier had to put cameras on all exterior sides of the school buses to help police catch speeders who would NOT stop per law when the school bus stopped. Speed ticket camera's are allowed currently since 2020 in school zones in Virginia where children are picked up and dropped off. Route 17 is simply a extension of the school zone and speed ticket camera's are gravely needed to reduce this speeding problem for the safety of school children as a MORE efficient way to stop the speeding. 3. A $100 fine citation issued by a Speed Ticket Camera has a Sheriff Deputy police officer involved in the review of the citation in Fauquier County, as well as x2 employee's of the Vendor Blue Line Solutions company that implements the Speed Ticket Camera technology which also hires ex-police officers. Anyone receiving a citation has the option to go to court to fight the citation if they choose. Speed ticket camera's DO NOT show favoritism to any drivers. They issue a citation at 11mph over the set speed limit. They do the job very well in any weather condition and DO NOT get sick from COVID or other diseases. They are a great assistance to overwhelmed police forces so police can focus on other serious public safety problems in Virginia. 4. Photo Enforcement camera technology already exists in Virginia which is NOT a invasion of privacy such as: 4a. On I-66 and other roadways by DMV and VDOT to collect Express lane and HOV lane drivers and violators. 4b. Used on exterior of school buses in Fauquier County to help catch speeders passing stopped school buses. 4c. Used on road construction area's. 4d. Used in Walmart Warrenton Parking lot for public safety. Speed ticket camera's are a sensible solution to increase public safety and NOT an invasion of privacy. 5. Rte 17 traffic volume grows yearly in Fauquier per VDOT data by 100,000 to 200,000 per year. Currently over 7 million. Over 4 million speeders. Police speed tickets average 300-500 max on Rte 17 Marshall to Warrenton per year

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I strongly OPPOSE HB 521 for the following reasons. 1) Photo enforcement of speeding violations disproportionately hurts poorer residents who are least likely to afford tickets for minor speeding infractions, 2) often times the flow of traffic is 10 or 15 mph above the posted speed limit and many drivers may not realize they are speeding, 3) invariably, parked police cars slow down traffic as everyone sees them and if someone is significantly speeding the parked police officer will notice and then pull them over, 4) police officers are better able to judge whether a car is going with the flow of traffic vs. dangerously speeding, 5) police often find that the driver of a speeding car may be drunk, on other drugs, fleeing a crime, etc. so in-person speeding enforcement can and does catch criminals guilty of more serious crimes. Thank you for your attention to this matter. It is a top priority for me.

Please expand use of automated speed enforcement (ASE, aka speed cameras) beyond the current limitations of school zones and construction zones into high-risk pedestrian corridors. Please allow bicyclists to follow ped signals and treat stop signs as yield signs. These are proven ways to improve road safety. We need to make our roads safer for everyone and welcoming for those choosing modes other than driving.

I am a resident of Dunn Loring and oppose any and all efforts to establish or place speed cameras outside of school zones. These cameras do nothing to stop speeders, and are almost exclusively used to impose onerous fines on those that cannot afford them. Similarly, towns setting speed limits below 25mph has been historically used as a tool to selectively enforce rules with the effect of disproportionately affecting minorities. If speed is an issue, road design is the solution. Narrower lanes, hard bike lanes, and more traffic lights are the solution, not a money grab by way of automated fines administered by a third party in the private sector. I am an active voter and will actively oppose anyone voting for regulations that allow for automated traffic enforcement.

Speed Ticket Camera's: DO NOT get sick from COVID or other diseases. Always ready to do the job to enforce speed limits. DO NOT Abandon their post, or look for work elsewhere for higher paying salaries. DO NOT get injured on the job, or harmed by a violent driver in the car. Are NOT Prejudice regarding race or gender, and DO NOT show favoritism of social-economic status or business relations. Do the job 24 hours a day if programmed that way, 365 days a year. Function day and night, in any weather. Proven data from other states that speeding reduces quickly over time. Free up Law Enforcement to focus on other speeding locations where cameras are not present. Free up Law Enforcement to engage in many other society problems and responsibilities. What Speed Ticket Camera's Cannot Do that Police Can Do: Just about everything else that is criminal behavior and to protect and serve communities. Police will always have jobs to do because we have alot of problems in society and Fauquier County. Police forces are struggling since COVID 2020 to refill positions as are just about any business is these days. Data from VDOT, Sheriff and State Police show speed citations dropped around covid because there were less police to address the speeding problems, but VDOT data shows speeding was STILL VERY MUCH present in the millions on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton. They issue a speed citation at 11mph over the set speed limit, so some speeding is still being allowed. Parents or guardians will end up having conversations with the young drivers in their homes to be aware NOT to speed. My father had same conversation with me back when I was 16 with 1st drivers license driving the family car. He told me any tickets I get I will be paying him back thru summer work. Any damages done to the vehicle I will pay him back thru summer work. I never got a speeding ticket, but I did put a dent in my father's truck backing up into a pole and I had to pay for it. I NEVER dented the car again after that bill to fix it. Young drivers are MORE prone to cause crashes that lead to death and injury and that is why insurance rates are MUCH higher for them. So parents having conversations IN ADVANCE knowing speed ticket camera's are present on Fauquier Roads will establish GOOD driving behavior before it gets BAD and dangerous. Best education starts in the home with Mom and Dad, and speed ticket camera's will stimulate that because Mom and Dad will NOT want to get a $100 bill in the mail. Some Virginia counties are implementing a 1st time citation to be only $50 so as to provide a KIND WARNING Wake UP Call . I think that is fair, and legislation could work that into the various speed ticket camera bills as needed.

I support speed ticket cameras to be allowed on dangerous roads in Virginia, especially Route 17. These devices will get the speeding under quick serious control. This is NOT about making money as I have read in some online articles about speed ticket camera's. They do make money as does any citation would, however if they make a lot of money it is because an area must have a SERIOUS speeding problem in that area. The online articles often refer to the money reinvested back into a county to repair or implement other public safety project needs that otherwise would NEVER get done or cause the need to raise our taxes. Its a WIN-WIN situation. Lives will be saved thru less crashes due to speeding, and I constantly see people driving and texting on Route 17 all the time. It scares me often. Police just cannot keep up with the speeding problem, and I am watched a video for Richmond General Assembly 2024 session about how gangs, drugs and human trafficking are on a continued dangerous rise. So let the speed ticket camera's help take a HUGE burden off of police on the worst roads so they can focus on these other criminal elements PLEASE. Republicans from information shared with me show they have primarily VOTED NO for these bills and stopped them multiple times in the past. We need these devices and the technology is available to support them now in 2024 so USE IT. These devices are proven to work well in Maryland, and Ohio and other states. Tractor trailers using Route 17 is going to continue to rise due to the Ports of Virginia growth I per trade journals I read. They care only about speeding thru Fauquier to make money to deliver cargo quicker. I rarely see them pulled over by police, except for more recently around June thru September 2023 which I was told was due to a fellow supporter speaking with Governor Youngkin helping us out some. If the Governor made a call to get the police out on Route 17 for speeding than the problem must be bad.

I support HB 20, 461, 521, 533, 905, 1032 that all have to do with Speed Ticket Camera to ASSIST police to get the long term speeding under serious control. Too many tractor trailers tailgating drivers to speed above the 55mph speed limit on Route 17. Commuter vehicles DO NOT respect locals when they slow down to turn into driveways off of Rte 17 with TOO MANY near misses. Some citizens have died due to speeding while texting. Information in this posting is specific to Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton which is dangerous with many large and small hills, blind curves and x3 Deadly intersections of Belvoir Rd, Old Tavern Rd and Blantyre Road where crashes occur a lot at Old Tavern Rd intersection. VDOT made some minor upgrades at Old Tavern Rd intersection, but primarily is NOT Helping as speeding still continues. VDOT's actions are typically NOT affective to help and ignore majority of citizens input at June 7th 2022 Public Meeting to simply lower the speed limit to 45mph or 50mph from Warrenton to Marshall as a way to help traffic enter and exit Route 17. Slow moving LONG equestrian and farm livestock trailers are at highest risk plus the school buses trying to navigate ONTO or OFF of Route 17 due to speeding in both directions. The gaps have become much more limited than in the past to find SAFE breaks in the traffic flows in both directions. Speed Ticket Camera's function in the following sensible way: 1. Issue speed ticket at 11mph over the speed limit. State Police and Fauquier Sheriff Dept data combined with VDOT data shows Millions of speeders above the 55mph zone on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton yet only around 300 to 400 speed citations issued per year COMBINED by State Police and Deputies on this section of Route 17. 2. Police data shows they Primarily write speed citations at 74mph in a 55mph zone on Route 17. Speed ticket cameras would issue a citation at 66mph in a 55mph zone which is MUCH better and would capture MILLIONS of speeders to STOP speeding. 75mph in a 55mph zone in Virginia per law is Reckless driving, so police are allowing reckless driving before they engage to chase down a speeder if the police are even present. They are outnumbered and NEED HELP thru Technology. 3. Cameras ONLY take photo of rear of Vehicle so no invasion of privacy. DMV and VDOT camera systems on I-66 HOV lanes to collect payment and issue fines. Camera systems also mounted on poles all along I-66. School buses in Fauquier have camera systems on ALL sides of a bus to help capture speeders that are supposed to STOP behind a school bus picking up or Dropping off children on Rte 17. Warrenton Walmart, grocery stores and businesses have camera's in their parking lots. Cell phones are worst tracking of a person privacy than they realize. So invasion of privacy is a POOR excuse NOT to implement these devices that will save peoples lives thru speed reduction. 4. Because school buses on Rte 17 drop off and pick up children as they do in school zones where speed ticket cameras are now allowed per 2020 law, Rte 17 essentially is a EXTENSION of a SCHOOL zone. Rte 17 is MUCH more Dangerous than a school zone, and the school buses BY LAW must STOP in the RIGHT hand lane of Rte 17 and NOT allowed to pull off onto a shoulder. Shoulder lanes barely exist anyway. 5. VDOT has NOT provided wide enough shoulder widths for police safe enforcement. Speed Ticket Cameras DO NOT need widened road shoulders to do the job well.

I support HB 20, 461, 521, 533, 905, 1032 that all have to do with Speed Ticket Camera to ASSIST police to get the long term speeding, increasing fatalities and injuries due to vehicle crashes on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton (8.5 Miles). Police need HELP and unable to keep the speeding under long term control. Statements by Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller said to Senate Transportation Committee and House of Delegate Transportation Committee in 2023 and 2024: "Critically important to them is public safety and highway deaths are still a serious problem in Virginia for many years. Over 1000 deaths per year on Virginia highways for many years in Virginia is too many and that needs serious attention." Used the analogy that if 1000 deaths were from x3 jet airliners crashing in the same year that it would garner immediate attention to fix it, but because the deaths are spread out across a year on Virginia Highways in different locations it does not get serious attention. NOTE* Mr Miller made no mention of the many other regular road ways that have speeding and fatalities besides just on highways. Terrance C. Cole Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security said to House of Delegates Public Safety Committee on January 12th 2024. "Overall decline in individuals serving in law enforcement has placed additional strain on existing personal.” "Police forces are under INCREASING Threats, and causes increase stress, PTSD, and anxiety in their lives." This supports the need for Speed Ticket Camera's to assist police to get a serious handle of the out of control speeding for public safety all over Fauquier County and Virginia because of police forces diminished since COVID and struggling to hire more officers per my direct contact with State Police about this also. State Police informed me COVID just sped up a known problem with many State Police Officers were ready for retirement, and past Sheriff Robert Mosier said in all his years in law enforcement he had NEVER witnessed the mass exodus of police forces. Terrance Coal Secretary of Homeland Security and Public Safety stated the following facts to the House of Delegate Public Safety Committee at this 2024 Session: 1. Human and sex Trafficking has increased in Virginia Common Wealth and linked to gangs and organized criminal organizations. Violent crimes on the rise. Public safety is a serious position, and emphasized killing of kids is happening due to gang growths. 2. Illegal Drugs in Virginia also on the rise. Mexican cartels stated as main problem distributing Fentanyl is the main problem and serious influence in Common Wealth of Virginia. More dangerous drugs on the rise such as Nitazene that is 10x deadlier than Fentanyl. 3.Gang activity increasing in common wealth of Virginia. 648 Home Grown and National Gangs operating in Virginia. “The commonwealth of Virginia is experiencing significant public safety and homeland security challenges which is attributed to the violence associated with Street Gangs, Human / Labor Trafficking, Influx of illegal narcotics, Legislation which has weakened law enforcement’s ability to interdict, sale of unregulated marijuana products” Essentially POLICE have plenty of work to keep them BUSY protecting society from further break down. Speed Ticket Camera's can address the speeding problem to allow police to focus more on gangs, drugs and human sex trafficking.

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As with many neighborhoods in McLean, ours has very few sidewalks. Therefore people are forced walk in the street -- children, joggers, people walking dogs, and casual strollers all are in the street. Increasingly, cars are vastly exceeding the speed limit. Enforcement is minimal (actually non-existent in recent years) as police have higher priorities. Enforcement cameras are effective and efficient. They are ubiquitous in many cities/states/countries. Hiding behind privacy concerns at the cost of lives in this day and age is simply an unacceptable argument. Please support camera enforcement. Lives depend on it.

Comments Document

I support HB 533 (photo speed monitoring devices) because I see it as a critical piece for controlling speed in places like Norfolk, VA. Here in Norfolk, we are a city that is 95% built out, and we have the 3rd highest number of pedestrian deaths in the state. As well, 12% of households do not have automobiles. We have multiple waterways, tributaries, and creeks in Norfolk. Therefore, the north-south and east-west travel throughfares are squeezed into just a few busy corridors. These same roadways pass through areas with high concentrations of pedestrians. For example, east-west Little Creek Road, is high pedestrian nearly the whole 6.5 miles. Other corridors, like north-south Hampton Blvd and east-west Brambleton, pass directly through the heart of university campuses, Old Dominion and Norfolk State respectively. In these corridors, my observation is that drivers who are in a hurry to get across the city are apt to treat the corridor as a highway of sorts since it is taking them across town. There is little change of behavior when drivers approach the high pedestrian sections based on my observations. The heatmaps showing the crash data in Norfolk also show pedestrians are hit in areas where there is a high concentration of pedestrians. When I am a pedestrian in the high pedestrian areas, what I see is the lead time for getting out of the way of a speeding automobile is much less than in other areas. For example, there are a lot more parked cars, buildings, powerline poles, turns in the roadway than there are in suburbs and rural areas. So, if I go to cross a street, the effect of vehicle “coming out of nowhere” is very real since sightlines are much more reduced. A speeding vehicle in these areas is highly dangerous to more vulnerable road users like pedestrians, bicycle riders, and wheelchair users. I support giving localities the ability to run speed cameras in high pedestrian areas. We have so many areas in Norfolk that could benefit from this type of enforcement: Little Creek Rd corridor, Granby corridor, both East and West Ocean View Avenue, Downtown, Ghent, Hampton Blvd corridor, Military Circle region, Ghent, Berkley, Five Points to name a few. Thank you, Liz Schleeper 608 Summers Drive Norfolk, VA 23509 757-735-1529

Vehicle speeds in my neighborhood in Fairfax are often 35-40 mph, considerably above the posted speed limit and fast enough to seriously injure or kill pedestrians in the event of a collision. I’ve lived here for 20 years, and more people are walking, which is great. But the risk of collisions is also growing. Indeed, the number of people killed while walking in Fairfax has increased significantly. We do not have enough police officers to enforce speeding laws. HB533 takes a sensible, targeted approach to improving traffic safety by allowing Automated Speed Enforcement devices in areas with higher risks of collisions as shown by objective data. I hope you will vote yes so that this bill advances.

Auto speed enforcement has been proven to save lives! Speed kills, and members of our communities are dying every year. It's time to stop this suffering and slow down drivers!

Dear Chairman Delaney and members of the House Transportation Committee: The Great Falls Citizens Association (GFCA) has been advocating for its members and the residents of Great Falls since 1968 in matters involving, transportation, environment, and land use.  The GFCA and its Transportation Committee is pleased to support and urge adoption of HB533 involving the use of automated speed enforcement technology as a means to improve traffic safety and impact speed-related crashes involving pedestrian injuries and fatalities in the Commonwealth. We base our support on the following: The National Safety Council reports speeding is a major factor in traffic deaths and injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's July 2023 reporting indicates speeding fatalities reached a 14-year high and almost one-third of traffic fatalities are speed related crashes. Total number of fatal crashes in Fairfax County has increased over the last four years. Automated speed enforcement technology is a force-multiplier and can enhance law enforcement’s speed enforcement efforts, especially where demands on budgets and personnel have taken a toll on the amount of resources that can be expended for traffic safety. Thank you, Jennifer Falcone Assocation Secretary/Chair, Land Use & Zoning Committe Member, Transportation Committee

I am expressing my support of HB533. I believe the use of photo speed enforcement should to a wide spread as possible.

I wanted to write in support of HB533. I feel the use of technology to aid in enforcement of a real problem is a good idea. This will also allow limited police resources to concentrate on other issues.

Two children were killed and a third injured by a schoolmate driving 81 mph in a 35 zone in my community while walking home from school. A year and a half later agencies are just implementing a school zone this week that stops short of the scene where bodies and backpacks were strewn for children to navigate around to get home that day. Police complain they are too understaffed and have never been a presence at arrival and dismissal times near the school or crash site. Speed kills. People forget. VDOT is slow to act even within the scope of their legal ability. Lost children isn’t enough to change behavior. We need better laws and enforcement. The agencies able to make our children safer have failed to do so. This past fall there were three significant crashes on Blake requiring emergency vehicles in a single week. The inability to compel our county Supervisor and agencies to improve the safety on Blake Lane- reported by VDOT to be one of the top 5% most dangerous roads in Virginia has my community desperate and exhausted. This Bill needs to happen for our community. We’ve run out of tools to enact change.

I am the Vice President of the Great Falls Citizens Association as well as the Chair of GFCA's Transportation Committee. I am writing to represent our membership in supporting HB533 in order to expand the use of Automated Speed Enforcement. Here in Great Falls, we have narrow roads that Police have reported that makes it difficult to stop speeders safely due to lack of road shoulders. Additionally, Fairfax County Police is greatly understaffed, making it more difficult to allocate manpower to enforce speeding restrictions. The County recently tried Automated Speed Enforcement in eight school zones resulting in a 24% reduction in speeds. It just makes sense to us to help our dedicated law enforcement officers by giving them this needed option in keeping our streets safe for other drivers and pedestrians. We hope you will join us in supporting HB533. Thank you, John Halacy - Great Falls VA

Speed kills. Last year's automated speed enforcement (ASE, aka speed cameras) pilot program was successful in moderating driver's behavior around school children, reducing average speed by almost 25%. Please allow this program to expand to other high risk areas. As a frequent transit rider and pedestrian, I thank you.

I hope the committee votes to expand speed enforcement as much as possible. The slower drivers go, the less of us die. It’s not normal that we’ve just accepted so many injuries, deaths, and car violence. Let’s do some common sense action and do what we can to reduce speed and enforce if. Thank you!

I am writing in support of HB533. As a passionate pedestrian and mother of three school-aged children who walk and ride bikes to and from school, within and well beyond school zones, I believe any measures that we take to acknowledge and improve the delicate diversity of transportation will improve life for everyone. Our culture heavily invests in and prioritizes speed and efficiency above other values, and these investments threaten more vulnerable travelers who do not have a private automobile -- children, older adults, persons with differing abilities, and those who travel by bike or bus -- as well as those working to keep roads in good repair. In general, drivers know that they can drive with impunity, disregarding speed limits and pedestrian crossings. As a tool, this measure will help reduce speed on the roads, help counter mindless driving, and driving with impunity. We need more measures like these to ensure that drivers recognize the wider landscape in which they participate, their responsibilities within it, especially to and for more vulnerable others. Thank you.

Speed kills, and speed cameras have been shown to be an effective tool to reduce speeds in my community. Cities and towns have the best knowledge of where speed limits are most often and most egregiously breached, and where vulnerable road users like children, other pedestrians, and bikers are most at risk. Giving local jurisdictions the ability to install these cameras where we need it most is incredibly important for protecting communities. Please pass this bill. Lucas Henneman NOVA Families for Safe Streets

I'm writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. Driving over the speed limit makes our communities less safe, limits our opportunities to live, work and play, and leads to serious injuries and death — not to mention increased pollution through tire dust particulates and lower fuel efficiency. Automated speed enforcement is a tool that can help with all of these factors — simply put, stopping driving over the speed limit speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I am writing in full SUPPORT of HB21, HB461, HB521, HB533, HB905, and HB1072, regarding photo speed monitoring devices and regarding expansion of school zone definitions. As a major advocate for the addition of school bus stop arm cameras, which I am thrilled passed, my support is rooted in improving the safety of our community's pedestrians and cyclists. In communities around the Commonwealth, there is an important and valuable push toward making our neighborhoods and towns more walkable and more bicycle-friendly. But in today's environment, it's a dangerous and often deadly choice for those who do try to walk or cycle, as drivers exceeding the speed limit is the norm, and police departments cannot possibly monitor and patrol every road and intersection. Speed monitoring equipment would be effective and efficient, with the end goal of reducing speeds and reducing violations. I know some citizens cry, "It's a money grab!" No, it's not. Don't speed, and you won't get fined. (Similarly, don't go around a school bus when its stop arm is out, and you won't get fined.) The irony of those citizens' 'money grab' argument is that the localities that are advocating for speed monitoring systems want to REDUCE speeders, thereby reducing any revenue that might result from the equipment. In terms of school zones, I live within one mile of four schools in our community, and I routinely witness cars speeding on our city's primary, secondary, AND tiny neighborhood streets; ignoring crosswalks; running stop signs and red lights; and not slowing down even for backpack-wearing kids or dog walkers as their single focus is getting their child to school or as they're late for after-care pickup. At the same time, walkers are trying to safely cross the road to reach the schools, and the number of near-misses I've personally witnessed would curl your toes. A key solution would be speed monitoring systems, which is about the only thing that seems to scare drivers straight. It's a proven tool for changing behavior, and a proven tool for achieving our goal: decreasing driver speed, decreasing violations, and decreasing deadly encounters between cars and humans. Lastly, I'm in full support of giving localities the right and responsibility of determining where to install equipment; we know our roads, driver habits, and problem areas intimately well, and the placement of such devices will therefore be far more effective in reducing violations and speeding while increasing the safety of our citizens. We MUST make our communities safer, pursue avenues for making walking and cycling more attractive so that we can reduce our dependence on greenhouse-gas-emitting automobiles, and allow our localities to make informed decisions for the communities they know best. Thank you. Stephanie Oppenheimer 610 N Oak St Falls Church VA 22046 skylitecomm@yahoo.com 703.856.3995

Please expand the use of speed cameras so citizens are protected from ever-increasing distracted and aggressive traffic volumes. As northern VA urbanizes our post-WWII neighborhoods, we suffer because we lack sidewalks and have narrow streets. We have pled for help but changing infrastructure to add sidewalks and bike lanes is too costly and only feasible for larger roads. Tiny neighborhood streets become cut-throughs that anyone with waze can navigate -- though not safely, because they are focused on their destination and not the school children or dog walkers or joggers or bikers living their lives near their homes. Speed cameras are a relatively small cost and anyone worried about them is, frankly, a law-breaker. Their speeding for convenience should not be put before lives!

Dear Delegates, I am writing in support of HB533 to expand Red Light Camera use beyond schools zones into high-risk Pedestrian Corridors. Red Lights Cameras are shown to be effective at changing drivers' behavior. The City of Alexandria has recently installed red light cameras in several school areas. The one located by me near Hammond Middle School has shown a dramatic slow down during school arrival and dismissal. In high risk Pedestrian Areas, people are walking at all times, not just arrival and dismissal. By installing red light cameras in those high-risk areas, drivers' behavior will continue to change! Cameras are not judgmental. You speed, they take your picture. It does not matter the color of your car or the color of your skin. Please make our streets safer for people! Not just the ones in the cars. Support HB 533. Thank you, Nicole Radshaw Alexandria, VA

The Arlington - East Falls Church Civic Association endorses this and any actions to improve pedestrian safety in our neighborhood.

People change when they get behind a car. I don't know what it is, but the nicest, most conscientious people I know climb into those little metal tanks and suddenly they're honking and shouting at other people in other little metal tanks. They're treating speed limit signs like the slightest of suggestions. They're stopping at crosswalks and stop signs only if they happen to notice there are people around. And they don't always notice. Because they don't always look. Into this fray, I am taking my 2 year old and six year old daughters. Walking them to school, walking them to church, walking them to their activities. And every day I am putting the fear of God in them. "Stop at the intersection!" "Look both ways!" "Don't get too close to the curb!" All because I can't rely on otherwise nice, conscientious people to give the first, last, or any thought to my children once they get in their little metal tanks. These people need to get where they're going, after all, and that's the thing most on their minds. They simply don't have time to slow down for my children, who they don't always see because they don't always look. Delegates, I am tired. I am tired of this vigilance which is both extreme and extremely necessary. I am tired of little metal tanks racing through my neighborhood. We need to reintroduce some sanity to our public roads. The conclusion I have come to after many hours of walking our streets and considering driver behavior is that drivers slow down for one reason only: if it will cost them money. If we want drivers to slow down, we can't simply lower the speed limit. We have to make it *cost* something to go faster than the speed limit. By introducing physical road elements such as speed bumps, for example, (making drivers concerned that their car will be damaged if they are going too fast) or adding speed cameras to make up for lax enforcement. We need to start prioritizing our everyday citizens' lives over whatever primal urge many of us have to go vroom vroom in our little metal tanks. Please pass HB 533 and give localities in Virginia the freedom to do so.

This bill would give greater authority to local governments to enact solutions that work for their needs. Traffic is a local issue and effective response will also be local. In my county, we have issues with drivers killing pedestrians through excessive speed. Currently, local government is quite limited in how they can respond to this issue. Please pass this bill to enable more flexibility for communities to prevent future tragedies.

Please expand the use of automated traffic enforcement. Traffic violence is a systemic problem and requires systemic measures to reduce this violence. I am aware that traffic violence is a leading cause, if not the leading case of fatalities for people ages 5-55. Studies show that speed cameras are effective.

We would like to see speed cameras on Blake Ln and Kingsbridge Dr. We are extremely concerned about the safety of our children who walk to school every day. Drivers are not following rules and are driving over the speed limit. Two girls got kill as a result of the lack of safety measurement in our streets and on the same day, a boy from my neighborhood got hit by a car on Kingsbridge Dr during school dismissal and nothing was done. We demand action!

I support HB533 to expand ASE into high-risk pedestrian corridors as identified in the statewide Pedestrian Safety Action Plan. I live off Franconia Road near Telegraph Road. It is dangerous and frightening to pull out of our complex or walk across the street due to the high speed of cars coming down the hill on Franconia to Telegraph. There have been a number of crashes, including one recent fatality of a bicyclist at the corner of Telegraph and Franconia. Enforcement is one of the best ways to change driver behavior but there are not enough officers to cover all the high-speed, high-risk areas. Please support HB533. Thank you. Christine Michaelis

Please support this bill. We live in an area that values its pedestrian culture--for both community members and tourists. It's also a fact that many of our residents simply can't afford cars and must rely on some combination of walking, public transport, and biking. All of us are made less safe by speeding cars, and a speed camera only catches individuals who are already breaking the law.

Research indicates that automated traffic enforcement does improve road safety. As a frequent pedestrian and cyclist, I would greatly appreciate increased scrutiny of driver behavior.

Please support Delegate Holly Seibold's House Bill 533 (HB533). It is a fact that speed kills, and that no jurisdiction can possibly have enough law enforcement personnel to monitor all the streets with speeding issues at all times. Automated speed enforcement extends the reach of our law enforcement personnel and changes the way drivers drive, slowing them down and helping to make our streets safer for all road users. No one is above the law, and it does not make sense that so many people are currently allowed to ignore speed limits because they know without enforcement there will be no repercussions. Please help give us the tools to change driver behavior before we lose more lives. Thank you.

Please allow the expansion of speed cameras and make less restrictions on their placement. Speeding in our neighborhoods is out of control and there are not enough police to ensure people are driving at the appropriate speed. I wish people would not speed, but unfortunately the reckless driving is pervasive in the state’s culture right now. From rural Virginia to the suburbs and cities, speed cameras are a reasonable solution that communities can use to enhance road safety. I strongly support HB 20 and HB 905.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I fully 100% support speed ticket camera/photo enforcement bills to pass into law for 2024. Virginia fatality road deaths are TOO HIGH on per Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller statements in 2023 and 2024 General Assembly. 1. VDOT in Fauquier County office has failed to provide proper safe shoulder widths on Route 17 between Marshall to Warrenton which is a 8.5 four lane major commercial and commuter highway. When vehicle crashes happen on Rte 17 the emergency fire trucks and ambulances cannot get to the crash site in a efficient time because the traffic backs up quickly for 1-4 miles due to current VDOT count of over 7 million vehicles per year using this section of Rte 17. Tractor trailers and automobiles cannot move out of the way due to not wide enough road shoulders and steep ditch drop offs. Speeding is the primary problem on Route 17 so reducing the speeding problem reduces the crashes due to increased reaction time by the driver. Speed ticket camera's will greatly reduce the speeding to help police get it under control. 2. School buses use Route 17 to drop off and pick up children in Fauquier County. By law the school bus driver MUST stop in the RIGHT hand lane of Route 17. The problem became so bad years ago that the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors, and past Sheriff Robert Mosier had to put cameras on all exterior sides of the school buses to help police catch speeders who would NOT stop per law when the school bus stopped. Speed ticket camera's are allowed currently since 2020 in school zones in Virginia where children are picked up and dropped off. Route 17 is simply a extension of the school zone and speed ticket camera's are gravely needed to reduce this speeding problem for the safety of school children as a MORE efficient way to stop the speeding. 3. A $100 fine citation issued by a Speed Ticket Camera has a Sheriff Deputy police officer involved in the review of the citation in Fauquier County, as well as x2 employee's of the Vendor Blue Line Solutions company that implements the Speed Ticket Camera technology which also hires ex-police officers. Anyone receiving a citation has the option to go to court to fight the citation if they choose. Speed ticket camera's DO NOT show favoritism to any drivers. They issue a citation at 11mph over the set speed limit. They do the job very well in any weather condition and DO NOT get sick from COVID or other diseases. They are a great assistance to overwhelmed police forces so police can focus on other serious public safety problems in Virginia. 4. Photo Enforcement camera technology already exists in Virginia which is NOT a invasion of privacy such as: 4a. On I-66 and other roadways by DMV and VDOT to collect Express lane and HOV lane drivers and violators. 4b. Used on exterior of school buses in Fauquier County to help catch speeders passing stopped school buses. 4c. Used on road construction area's. 4d. Used in Walmart Warrenton Parking lot for public safety. Speed ticket camera's are a sensible solution to increase public safety and NOT an invasion of privacy. 5. Rte 17 traffic volume grows yearly in Fauquier per VDOT data by 100,000 to 200,000 per year. Currently over 7 million. Over 4 million speeders. Police speed tickets average 300-500 max on Rte 17 Marshall to Warrenton per year

The Coalition for Smarter Growth strongly supports expanding the use of Automated Speed Enforcement (ASE) to improve safety on our roads and helping to reduce the alarming rate of traffic-related fatalities and injuries in Virginia. ASE is a proven tool for reducing speeding in areas where it is deployed. Fairfax County’s pilot ASE program implemented last year in school zones showed the ability of ASE to change drivers’ behavior with significant reduction in speeding during school hours. Expanding its use would allow these benefits in other critical areas of our communities. By deploying an ASE program, law enforcement can more efficiently enforce speed limits across its jurisdiction, providing greater coverage, and freeing up resources for other critical tasks. Additionally, ASE provides fairer and more consistent application of traffic regulations, as it eliminates human biases in monitoring and issuing citations. Only drivers who are speeding and creating unsafe conditions face citation. This is not about the money. The most important benefit is reducing speeding and encouraging safer driving behaviors, which would actually result in fewer citations. The safety benefits are clear. We ask that you help improve roadway safety in our communities by allowing expanded use of ASE.

I am in support of HB533 to allow local communities to expand speed camera use beyond just the school zones and construction sites state law currently permits. There is a critical need for speed cameras along Blake Lane as drivers continue to exceed the speed limit of 35 mph. Numerous accidents on Blake Lane have resulted in injuries and even deaths, including 2 students who were walking home from Oakton High School. Speed cameras have been instrumental in helping to reduce the speed in areas where they are installed, therefore reducing the number of accidents and improving pedestrian safety. We need speed cameras so that our children can walk to and from school safely as well as the numerous community members who use the pedestrian walkways along Blake Lane.

I am in support of HB533 to install speed camera on select roads in Fairfax City that are main pedestrian walking and biking roads and where drivers continually exceed the speed limit. Specifically George Mason Blvd and Chain Bridge Road have heavy pedestrian use through active residential and downtown business areas. More often than not drivers are exceeding the speed limits by over 20 mph endangering pedestrians and bicyclists.

There is an urgent need for speed cameras and designated school zone along the Blake Lane corridor. There are accidents on almost daily basis, and 2 high school students were killed by a speeding driver with a third one being left crippled for life. We are worried about our children walking to school because the Blake Lane is just not safe. We need solutions, and speed cameras maybe the first step.

Comments Document

Please support and vote for this bill to help make our school zones safer. See the attached graphic showing the impact of being a pedestrian hit at speed.

I am opposed to this bill. I live 150 yards from Gallows Rd and the majority of the time Gallows Rd is creeping along or stopped as I try to enter it from Iliff Dr. Traffic cameras will not help and possibly making traffic slower. Please vote No on this bill.

To the honorable assembly, respectfully submitted: I oppose HB533 (traffic cameras in areas other than schools) by this very simple syllogism: 1. Irresponsible people do dangerous actions; 2. Cameras don't stop irresponsible people; - - - - - ergo - - - - - 3. Cameras can't prevent dangerous actions ... ... but they DO put an undue burden on us the Responsible. False positives - system errors, which produce troublesome false citations - are an undue burden. Even without errors, the added surveillance is unnecessary, and entirely unwelcome. Furthermore, there are laws against dangerous actions. That is enough. Sincerely, Mr. Covington, Responsible Resident of Dunn Loring, Fairfax County

I have lived in Dunn Loring Woods neighborhood for some 25+ years and it is my observation that are some throughways where speeding has become the norm. In my neighborhood, Gallows Rd is particularly bad...cars easily approach 50 mph on stretches. In some ways this is understandable, it is 5 lanes of well-paved, gently sloping roadway...but a serious threat to folks who walk to the metro, walk their neighborhood and/or bicycle. Ex...there are two pedestrian crossings (one at Dunn Loring Park and the other at Bright Meadows Ln) where you are literally taking your life in hand to cross Gallows Rd...these crossings are not a light and there is no flashing mechanism to warn drivers.. .very dangerous to try and get the attention of 5 lanes of traffic while crossing. While I would love to see a combination of road calming measures (eg flashers at certain pedestrian crossings)...installing speed cameras is a step I support. sam

I support HB533. My family lives on a cut through street where speeding has regularly been clocked at well above the limit. Cars fly by at high speeds and frequently honk as we try to exit the driveway. It is not safe for us to walk the dog and for my children to walk or ride bikes to see friends. We feel the use of automated speed enforcement cameras could really help address this issue. Thank you!

Automated speed enforcement has been shown to reduce speeding, and to reduce serious crashes. This is important as a step to reduce our traffic fatality rate. It benefits all who use our roads.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

Our streets need more monitoring to positively impact driving behavior and keep our neighborhood residents safe. I believe this bill is in the right direction. Thank you.

There is little accountability for those who speed on the roads in the current legal framework. I can attest to this as a crash survivor. I was the survivor of a hit and run by a speeding criminal on a main intersection of alexandria va-washington and Madison St in 2016. Had a speed camera been present, the culprit would have faced the consequences of his/her action. Unfortunately my accident was not the last on washington street and nearby intersections and nothing has been done to deter reckless drivers. With limited law enforcement available to catch these careless drivers, a speed camera could ensure accountability and deter drivers from speeding. I support this bill and urge the delegates to do so. It would be a huge mistake not to support this bill.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I support the use of speed cameras to support speed limit enforcement and make a roads safer. Thanks.

Good afternoon. Thank you for taking my comments. I have been a resident of McLean for almost thirty years. Our house is located on Chesterbrook Road which at one point was a local and calm street. It has now turned into a cut through and motorists fly down this street as well as Kirby. Quite a few of us over the years have worked with then Supervisor Foust on traffic calming measures. He was very helpful as were the McLean police officers. Unfortunately, speed continues to be a major problem. I think that speed cameras would be a great solution as it hits motorists in the pocket. I understand Supervisor Bierman is very concerned about this issue. I would be happy to discuss in person if the sub-committee would prefer that option. Thank you very much for taking my comments. Respectfully, Kathleen Porter 703-622-3419

I support HB533. Please improve safety of our streets by expanding the use of automated speed enforcement cameras beyond the current limitations of school zones and construction zones into high-risk pedestrian corridors. Thank you!

Comments Document

As a mother, I support HB532 and HB533. Having moved here recently, we never thought living near a road could be so terrifying for our family. I was almost hit three times, while crossing a road with my newborn to get to a nearby park. All of these incidents were in broad daylight, and we had the crosswalk light. Vehicles have flipped off the roadway less than a quarter mile from my house. Our driving culture is broken. Part of the reason is because there is a stunning lack of accountability of unsafe drivers in our area: if you read the attached report, you'll see that drivers who've struck and killed pedestrians usually pay a fine, and nothing more. The driver who killed two girls walking home from school did not have legal action. Cameras work at night, when drivers are the most unsafe, and there's the least amount of enforcement. Most importantly, having automated enforcement would spur hard conversations between spouses and between parents and young drivers, so that tragedies can be averted. Reading the comments, I saw that someone wrote that cameras don't work. They do. There are several studies that show that they not only work to decrease speed, but that they decrease community fatal accidents, and INCREASE general satisfaction with the community. I hope the committee lessens regulations on these cameras so people who live near these roads can live safe lives again. Please review the attached study to see how bad the problem is here.

I support the use of an automated device to slow cars to speed limits. I just moved here and it’s like the police don’t write enough tickets. So many drivers go +15 over the posted limit and tailgate. Write some tickets and we can be safer. Thank you.

Comments Document

Please support HB532 and 533. I'm active duty military, and after a long absence, I recently moved back to my childhood home in Fairfax County for my assignment. Unchecked speeding has truly lessened safety., and it saddening me to see how it's hurt this community. I'm asking for our communities to have the tools they need to enforce laws that help our safety. As many have commented, we've already experienced loss of life. 6 vehicles have departed the roadway in the last year. I personally responded to a roll-over accident less than a quarter mile from an elementary school. I had three near misses crossing the road near my house walking my dogs. My wife had to retreat from the roadway with a stroller carrying our child 3 times due to careless driving. After a near miss, one of my dogs will no longer walk in my neighborhood. Yes, even my dog does not feel my neighborhood is safe. I did not serve 14 years in the military to come back to a neighborhood I can't be proud of. I demand that the legislature unties the hand of our local leaders so we can meaningfully enforce our laws. I understand that neighborhoods and roads change, but I just want it safe enough to cross the street with my child and play in a park. That seems like a request that anyone would want. Please refer to the attachments that cite how allowing for camera enforcement will lessen speeding, increase safety, and actually help community satisfaction. Our constituents want this.

I have personally witnessed 6 car crashes on Burke Lake Road which occurred due to people driving greatly in excess of the speed limit. I have seen Lake Braddock students trying to cross Signal Hill Drive at the Crosswalk as the majority of the vehicles fail to yield which often leaves the students stranded on the very narrow center divider. I've seen drivers in the center lane stop to yield to the pedestrians while drivers in the right lane blew right by them. With the number of students and local residents walking on the sidewalk adjacent to these speeding vehicles, it is simply a matter of time before someone is killed. Speed cameras have proven to be effective around the country. Please pass this bill before another traffic fatality happens. Thanks you.

Please expand use of automated speed enforcement (ASE, aka speed cameras) beyond the current limitations of school zones and construction zones into high-risk pedestrian corridors. Please allow bicyclists to follow ped signals and treat stop signs as yield signs. These are proven ways to improve road safety. We need to make our roads safer for everyone and welcoming for those choosing modes other than driving.

The citizens of our HOA fully support passage of HB533. Speeding vehicles on Random Hills Rd. Is a major safety concern and installing speed cameras with enforcement will make a significant difference.

I strongly support the passage of HB533. The state of Virgina should allow local governments to have the freedom to enforce traffic laws and speed limits as they wish. Vehicle crashes are the largest killer of children and teens in the US, often with speed being the most significant factor in casualties and deaths. This is particularly true in crashes where a vehicle hits a pedestrian. The physics of a crash means that as a vehicle is heavier and/or traveling faster, it hits the other vehicle, pedestrian, or cyclist with more force and significantly increases the likelihood of death or serious injury.

We strongly support the implementation of speed cameras across Northern Virginia (HB533) My wife Krisztina, our two dogs and I have been homeowners at 4057 Werthers Ct, in Fairfax for the last 9 years. Random Hills Rd is a four-lane thoroughfare adjacent to our home and is located in between our HOA townhome community of over 300 households. Residents have to cross Random Hills to access amenities. Random Hills Rd. is a 35 MPH zoned roadway. We have been witnessing reckless driving, drag racing, vehicles not stopping for school buses, vehicles not stopping for pedestrians in designated crosswalks, and the use of illegal muffler systems that are perpetuated by speeding over the last 5 years. We have been escalating this unbearable situation at the local government level (Supervisor Walkinshaw's office), VDOT as well as the State level (Rep. Bulova) without much support or effective countermeasures being put in place thus far. We asked for speed measurements which were executed by Fairfax PD. Multiple speed measurements confirmed speeds north of 55 MPH and sometimes even close to 80 MPH. Stepped-up speed checks by Fairfax PD are not effective in calming this roadway effectively, as speeders bypass patrol patterns and drag race late at night instead. We have been witnessing reckless driving into the early morning hours (1:30 am) as our bedroom faces Random Hills Road. Lastly, our HOA community witnessed severe accidents on Random Hills Rd. over the last three years where vehicles either flipped upside down or damaged our HOA property as a result of losing control over the vehicle. We can't continue to do more of the same and expect different outcomes. Please do all you can to make this bill a reality.

I support this bill to bring safer streets to our neighborhoods

I support the passage of HB 533. Why? Because within a one mile stretch when driving thru Tysons Corner, without exception, I witness erratic, aggressive driving behaviors. There are times I wish I was driving an armored tank. I live in a neighborhood that has a beautiful 10 foot wide bridge that spans 495 so I can walk to the Tysons Mall. There's just one major drawback. Nearly everytime I walk to the Mall, a driver or two will ignore the fact I am in a well marked cross walk and they do not wait for me to cross. If I reach out my hand, I could touch the car whizzing by. Please pass HB533. Thank you.

It's hard to believe this isn't already authorized. Speeding cars are one of the biggest safety issues in Northern Virginia for pedestrians. The pilot has proved that this program works. Thank you for this action and please do more actions like this to increase traffic safety for all users, but particularly pedestrians who are the most vulnerable physically as road users and as members of society (children, the elderly, the poor).

I support measure to reduce the speeding and reckless driving that I witness every day on local streets. The pandemic let things get out of control and I've had several close calls from drivers who were speeding or not paying attention while driving. An older Asian man was looking at something on the seat beside him and came up on the curb almost hitting me. Daily, I see drivers vastly exceeding the posted speed limits as children are waiting for their bus. I screamed at one guy who was steering the car with his knees while playing with his phone as a father and his three children rode bicycles in the direction he was going on a neighborhood street. All of these people were speeding, too.

Speed cameras save lives. This is especially important in our school zones. Kids have been killed walking home from school in Fairfax County because of speeding drivers. This is tragic and unacceptable. Please move this bill forward to the full house. Thank you.

Show your support of not only pedestrian safety, but Fairfax County lives. Too many have already been lost to speeding and unsafe driving. Support Bill 533!

Please help us limit speeding! Everyone says pedestrian safety is important, but we have to fight on a corner-by-corner, street-by-street basis for it. Show us it's actually important to you and not just words to silence us.

Our home is located on Gallows Road in Fairfax County on the stretch from the W & OD crossing to the Dunn Loring Metro Station. Speeding here is commonplace and makes crossing treacherous. Three churches are on either side of Gallows Road at this stretch and afford each other over-flow parking for funerals and other events. Some cross Gallows at this point, not taking the time to go to a crosswalk; they take their lives into their hands. I was told by one Fairfax County Police Officer a driver was clocked at near 100 MPH in front of our home.

I have lived on a side street to Gallows road for thirty years, near where the W&OD bike trail crosses Gallows. During that time, I have personally observed many cars and motorcycles racing up and down Gallows at more than fifty miles per hour. There have been multiple crashes into homes, light poles, and yards as cars trying to negotiate the slight turn lose control. Visible speed cameras and tickets would discourage cars and motorcycles who use the long straightaway to show off their motor power. Attempting to cross Gallows at marked pedestrian crossings is frequently dangerous, and cars that are far away go so fast that a normal crossing isn't safe. Expecting them to stop because I am in the crosswalk doesn't happen often. Please allow us to have a normal neighborhood where people can walk home from visiting neighbors without risking their lives to speeding vehicles.

I strongly endorse this bill. It has been thoughfully crafted to enhance existing code and to address a significant problem in the Commonwealths urban and suburban communities as well as other trouble spots. I read through the other comments and those in favor of the bill reflect my thoughts. In one of the opposition letters, the writer noted the lateness and vagueness of the citation. I think those are legitimate concerns and your revised legislation could add text to manage that. The writer did not claim innocence and hopefully is now more careful in their daily driving. Our mission to make our neighborhood safe. Please move this legislation to the house floor. Thank You. John Eltzroth 703.898.7094 President, Dunn Loring Improvement Association

I am a resident of Dunn Loring and oppose any and all efforts to establish or place speed cameras outside of school zones. These cameras do nothing to stop speeders, and are almost exclusively used to impose onerous fines on those that cannot afford them. Similarly, towns setting speed limits below 25mph has been historically used as a tool to selectively enforce rules with the effect of disproportionately affecting minorities. If speed is an issue, road design is the solution. Narrower lanes, hard bike lanes, and more traffic lights are the solution, not a money grab by way of automated fines administered by a third party in the private sector. I am an active voter and will actively oppose anyone voting for regulations that allow for automated traffic enforcement.

Speed Ticket Camera's: DO NOT get sick from COVID or other diseases. Always ready to do the job to enforce speed limits. DO NOT Abandon their post, or look for work elsewhere for higher paying salaries. DO NOT get injured on the job, or harmed by a violent driver in the car. Are NOT Prejudice regarding race or gender, and DO NOT show favoritism of social-economic status or business relations. Do the job 24 hours a day if programmed that way, 365 days a year. Function day and night, in any weather. Proven data from other states that speeding reduces quickly over time. Free up Law Enforcement to focus on other speeding locations where cameras are not present. Free up Law Enforcement to engage in many other society problems and responsibilities. What Speed Ticket Camera's Cannot Do that Police Can Do: Just about everything else that is criminal behavior and to protect and serve communities. Police will always have jobs to do because we have alot of problems in society and Fauquier County. Police forces are struggling since COVID 2020 to refill positions as are just about any business is these days. Data from VDOT, Sheriff and State Police show speed citations dropped around covid because there were less police to address the speeding problems, but VDOT data shows speeding was STILL VERY MUCH present in the millions on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton. They issue a speed citation at 11mph over the set speed limit, so some speeding is still being allowed. Parents or guardians will end up having conversations with the young drivers in their homes to be aware NOT to speed. My father had same conversation with me back when I was 16 with 1st drivers license driving the family car. He told me any tickets I get I will be paying him back thru summer work. Any damages done to the vehicle I will pay him back thru summer work. I never got a speeding ticket, but I did put a dent in my father's truck backing up into a pole and I had to pay for it. I NEVER dented the car again after that bill to fix it. Young drivers are MORE prone to cause crashes that lead to death and injury and that is why insurance rates are MUCH higher for them. So parents having conversations IN ADVANCE knowing speed ticket camera's are present on Fauquier Roads will establish GOOD driving behavior before it gets BAD and dangerous. Best education starts in the home with Mom and Dad, and speed ticket camera's will stimulate that because Mom and Dad will NOT want to get a $100 bill in the mail. Some Virginia counties are implementing a 1st time citation to be only $50 so as to provide a KIND WARNING Wake UP Call . I think that is fair, and legislation could work that into the various speed ticket camera bills as needed.

I support speed ticket cameras to be allowed on dangerous roads in Virginia, especially Route 17. These devices will get the speeding under quick serious control. This is NOT about making money as I have read in some online articles about speed ticket camera's. They do make money as does any citation would, however if they make a lot of money it is because an area must have a SERIOUS speeding problem in that area. The online articles often refer to the money reinvested back into a county to repair or implement other public safety project needs that otherwise would NEVER get done or cause the need to raise our taxes. Its a WIN-WIN situation. Lives will be saved thru less crashes due to speeding, and I constantly see people driving and texting on Route 17 all the time. It scares me often. Police just cannot keep up with the speeding problem, and I am watched a video for Richmond General Assembly 2024 session about how gangs, drugs and human trafficking are on a continued dangerous rise. So let the speed ticket camera's help take a HUGE burden off of police on the worst roads so they can focus on these other criminal elements PLEASE. Republicans from information shared with me show they have primarily VOTED NO for these bills and stopped them multiple times in the past. We need these devices and the technology is available to support them now in 2024 so USE IT. These devices are proven to work well in Maryland, and Ohio and other states. Tractor trailers using Route 17 is going to continue to rise due to the Ports of Virginia growth I per trade journals I read. They care only about speeding thru Fauquier to make money to deliver cargo quicker. I rarely see them pulled over by police, except for more recently around June thru September 2023 which I was told was due to a fellow supporter speaking with Governor Youngkin helping us out some. If the Governor made a call to get the police out on Route 17 for speeding than the problem must be bad.

I support HB 20, 461, 521, 533, 905, 1032 that all have to do with Speed Ticket Camera to ASSIST police to get the long term speeding under serious control. Too many tractor trailers tailgating drivers to speed above the 55mph speed limit on Route 17. Commuter vehicles DO NOT respect locals when they slow down to turn into driveways off of Rte 17 with TOO MANY near misses. Some citizens have died due to speeding while texting. Information in this posting is specific to Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton which is dangerous with many large and small hills, blind curves and x3 Deadly intersections of Belvoir Rd, Old Tavern Rd and Blantyre Road where crashes occur a lot at Old Tavern Rd intersection. VDOT made some minor upgrades at Old Tavern Rd intersection, but primarily is NOT Helping as speeding still continues. VDOT's actions are typically NOT affective to help and ignore majority of citizens input at June 7th 2022 Public Meeting to simply lower the speed limit to 45mph or 50mph from Warrenton to Marshall as a way to help traffic enter and exit Route 17. Slow moving LONG equestrian and farm livestock trailers are at highest risk plus the school buses trying to navigate ONTO or OFF of Route 17 due to speeding in both directions. The gaps have become much more limited than in the past to find SAFE breaks in the traffic flows in both directions. Speed Ticket Camera's function in the following sensible way: 1. Issue speed ticket at 11mph over the speed limit. State Police and Fauquier Sheriff Dept data combined with VDOT data shows Millions of speeders above the 55mph zone on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton yet only around 300 to 400 speed citations issued per year COMBINED by State Police and Deputies on this section of Route 17. 2. Police data shows they Primarily write speed citations at 74mph in a 55mph zone on Route 17. Speed ticket cameras would issue a citation at 66mph in a 55mph zone which is MUCH better and would capture MILLIONS of speeders to STOP speeding. 75mph in a 55mph zone in Virginia per law is Reckless driving, so police are allowing reckless driving before they engage to chase down a speeder if the police are even present. They are outnumbered and NEED HELP thru Technology. 3. Cameras ONLY take photo of rear of Vehicle so no invasion of privacy. DMV and VDOT camera systems on I-66 HOV lanes to collect payment and issue fines. Camera systems also mounted on poles all along I-66. School buses in Fauquier have camera systems on ALL sides of a bus to help capture speeders that are supposed to STOP behind a school bus picking up or Dropping off children on Rte 17. Warrenton Walmart, grocery stores and businesses have camera's in their parking lots. Cell phones are worst tracking of a person privacy than they realize. So invasion of privacy is a POOR excuse NOT to implement these devices that will save peoples lives thru speed reduction. 4. Because school buses on Rte 17 drop off and pick up children as they do in school zones where speed ticket cameras are now allowed per 2020 law, Rte 17 essentially is a EXTENSION of a SCHOOL zone. Rte 17 is MUCH more Dangerous than a school zone, and the school buses BY LAW must STOP in the RIGHT hand lane of Rte 17 and NOT allowed to pull off onto a shoulder. Shoulder lanes barely exist anyway. 5. VDOT has NOT provided wide enough shoulder widths for police safe enforcement. Speed Ticket Cameras DO NOT need widened road shoulders to do the job well.

I support HB 20, 461, 521, 533, 905, 1032 that all have to do with Speed Ticket Camera to ASSIST police to get the long term speeding, increasing fatalities and injuries due to vehicle crashes on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton (8.5 Miles). Police need HELP and unable to keep the speeding under long term control. Statements by Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller said to Senate Transportation Committee and House of Delegate Transportation Committee in 2023 and 2024: "Critically important to them is public safety and highway deaths are still a serious problem in Virginia for many years. Over 1000 deaths per year on Virginia highways for many years in Virginia is too many and that needs serious attention." Used the analogy that if 1000 deaths were from x3 jet airliners crashing in the same year that it would garner immediate attention to fix it, but because the deaths are spread out across a year on Virginia Highways in different locations it does not get serious attention. NOTE* Mr Miller made no mention of the many other regular road ways that have speeding and fatalities besides just on highways. Terrance C. Cole Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security said to House of Delegates Public Safety Committee on January 12th 2024. "Overall decline in individuals serving in law enforcement has placed additional strain on existing personal.” "Police forces are under INCREASING Threats, and causes increase stress, PTSD, and anxiety in their lives." This supports the need for Speed Ticket Camera's to assist police to get a serious handle of the out of control speeding for public safety all over Fauquier County and Virginia because of police forces diminished since COVID and struggling to hire more officers per my direct contact with State Police about this also. State Police informed me COVID just sped up a known problem with many State Police Officers were ready for retirement, and past Sheriff Robert Mosier said in all his years in law enforcement he had NEVER witnessed the mass exodus of police forces. Terrance Coal Secretary of Homeland Security and Public Safety stated the following facts to the House of Delegate Public Safety Committee at this 2024 Session: 1. Human and sex Trafficking has increased in Virginia Common Wealth and linked to gangs and organized criminal organizations. Violent crimes on the rise. Public safety is a serious position, and emphasized killing of kids is happening due to gang growths. 2. Illegal Drugs in Virginia also on the rise. Mexican cartels stated as main problem distributing Fentanyl is the main problem and serious influence in Common Wealth of Virginia. More dangerous drugs on the rise such as Nitazene that is 10x deadlier than Fentanyl. 3.Gang activity increasing in common wealth of Virginia. 648 Home Grown and National Gangs operating in Virginia. “The commonwealth of Virginia is experiencing significant public safety and homeland security challenges which is attributed to the violence associated with Street Gangs, Human / Labor Trafficking, Influx of illegal narcotics, Legislation which has weakened law enforcement’s ability to interdict, sale of unregulated marijuana products” Essentially POLICE have plenty of work to keep them BUSY protecting society from further break down. Speed Ticket Camera's can address the speeding problem to allow police to focus more on gangs, drugs and human sex trafficking.

I enthusiastically SUPPORT HBs 20, 21, 282, 532, 533, 657, 793, 812, 905, 1071, 1072, and 1077. Thank you.

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Comments Document

Virginia League of Conservation Voters encourages you to SUPPORT HB645, HB657, HB1266 Reasons to SUPPORT HB645 - (Reaser) Electric vehicles; signs for parking spaces reserved for charging vehicles. Currently, signs reserving space for electric vehicle charging are required to read "Penalty, up to $25”--prescribed by the Code of Virginia (§ 46.2-1219.3). This is unnecessarily specific and could result in costly updates to signage for public EV charging space operators or localities. The simple and clear language proposed by HB645 would prevent confusion and future-proofs against costly sign replacement. SUPPORT HB657 (Sullivan) Pedestrian control signals; applicability to persons riding bicycles and other devices. Extends safety benefits of Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) to people biking in bike lanes and travel lanes. Improves safety for people biking by allowing them to get ahead of and be more visible to drivers. Current law allows a person biking in the crosswalk to proceed on a walk signal; this legislation extends applicability to a person biking using a bike lane or travel lane. SUPPORT HB1266 (Willet) Bicycles and certain other vehicles; various changes to provisions relating to operation. This legislation would improve the safety of people bicycling by allowing them to treat stop signs as yield signs in limited circumstances (Safety Stop), permitting two-abreast bicycling without restriction except on two-lane roads with a speed limit greater than 30 MPH, and clarifying the rules for narrow travel lanes.

Comments Document

The intent of the original bill is to protect access to charging infrastructure that is growing substantially in Virginia as the result of millions of dollars in public and private investment. Protecting access to this infrastructure will be essential as the demand for electric vehicles grows, especially from those who cannot install a charger at home because they rent an apartment or live in a house with no driveway or garage. Access is also important for those who own less expensive EVs with smaller batteries and need to travel long distances. However, the bill as written does not protect a single charging station in Virginia from someone who parks their car with no intention of charging. That’s because a sign has to be posted in the parking space in front of the charger with the amount of the fine for violating this parking regulation. Counties in Maryland have faced the same enforcement issue (see attachment). HB 645 would rectify this issue by removing the sign requirement. The space would still need to be marked for charging only, which almost every charging station already has. That is why Drive Electric RVA supports HB 645.

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Comments Document

Virginia League of Conservation Voters encourages you to SUPPORT HB645, HB657, HB1266 Reasons to SUPPORT HB645 - (Reaser) Electric vehicles; signs for parking spaces reserved for charging vehicles. Currently, signs reserving space for electric vehicle charging are required to read "Penalty, up to $25”--prescribed by the Code of Virginia (§ 46.2-1219.3). This is unnecessarily specific and could result in costly updates to signage for public EV charging space operators or localities. The simple and clear language proposed by HB645 would prevent confusion and future-proofs against costly sign replacement. SUPPORT HB657 (Sullivan) Pedestrian control signals; applicability to persons riding bicycles and other devices. Extends safety benefits of Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) to people biking in bike lanes and travel lanes. Improves safety for people biking by allowing them to get ahead of and be more visible to drivers. Current law allows a person biking in the crosswalk to proceed on a walk signal; this legislation extends applicability to a person biking using a bike lane or travel lane. SUPPORT HB1266 (Willet) Bicycles and certain other vehicles; various changes to provisions relating to operation. This legislation would improve the safety of people bicycling by allowing them to treat stop signs as yield signs in limited circumstances (Safety Stop), permitting two-abreast bicycling without restriction except on two-lane roads with a speed limit greater than 30 MPH, and clarifying the rules for narrow travel lanes.

I am in support of HB657 and HB20 to improve the pedestrian crosswalks in Old Town Fairfax City. I would like to see each intersection to have a traffic light cycle where all cars are stopped so pedestrians can walk any direction in the crosswalk; corner to corner and diagonal. This will eliminate pedestrian accidents by cars turning into a crosswalk with pedestrians and provide additional safe walkways for all pedestrians strolling in the Old Town area for shopping and restaurants. In addition, install speed cameras on select roads in Fairfax City that are main pedestrian walking and biking roads and where drivers continually exceed the speed limit. Specifically George Mason Blvd and Chain Bridge Road have heavy pedestrian use through active residential and downtown business areas. More often than not drivers are exceeding the speed limits by over 20 mph endangering pedestrians and bicyclists.

As a Henrico citizen, and a traffic engineer that serves on the Bicycle Technical Committee of the National Committee of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, I have major concerns about including legislation in VA Code (HB657 and HB1077) that conflicts with engineering guidance provided in the FHWA Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices that governs the use of traffic control devices. These two laws directly conflict with the guidance and standards in the MUTCD, which is federal law. In addition, I don't believe legislators should be permitted to pass laws that guide licensed engineering decisions related to traffic signs, signals, or any other traffic control devices.

Please support Delegate Sullivan's HB657. The City of Alexandria (and elsewhere in Virginia are increasingly installing Leading Pedestrian Intervals to save live. As a person who rides a bicycle, I would greatly appreciate your extending these safety benefits to people like me. The National Association of City Transportation Officials (NACTO) found up to 60% safety improvement and specifically recommended this safety countermeasure for bicyclists. Thanks so much for your service, Jim Durham

I submitted comments earlier.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

I have ridden my bike all over the US, and in the places where this is permitted (including DC), cyclists are definitely safer. The practical effect of being able to proceed on walk signal is that I get out ahead of the traffic which makes me more visible. I was hit by a car in March 2023 by someone who said, "I just didn't see her." There are many reasons a motorist might not see a cyclist, but this is at least one way to make us visible. Thank you for helping make all citizens safer.

I live and bicycle in Winchester. In the downtown area, the streets are relatively narrow and there is usually parking on both sides of the street. Since there are no bike lanes I am riding in the same lane as traffic. If I was able to start a little bit ahead of the cars on the walk signal I could get out in front and past the parked cars in the next block and avoid a dangerous pinch point.

We SUPPORT HB 657. It would give bicycle riders stopped at a red light on a roadway a 3- to 7-second head start over turning vehicles at intersections operating with a Leading Pedestrian Interval. This simple safety measure is already lawful in California, the District of Columbia, and New York City.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

I encourage you to support HB657, Bike May Proceed on Walk Signal. I am a long-time bicyclist and commuted regularly back and forth from my home at 2 Twin Lake Lane and the Monroe Park campus of VCU. I regularly proceeded to ride across Belvidere Street when the walk signal appeared because I felt that it increased my safety. (I did not know that the signal did not apply to me.) Since pedestrians were often walking with me then, I worried less about a car not seeing me or a red light. Starting to ride when the walk signal appeared let me get a little ahead of the cars that would soon pass me on my left. The extra time meant that when cars passed me, they were spaced out. The extra spacing increased my visibility and often gave the drivers an opportunity to move slightly to their left to increase the distance between us when they passed. I hope that you make what I think is a common-sense way to increase the safety of riding bikes in urban settings.

RE: Delegate Sullivan’s HB657. As Co-Chair of Bike Loudoun, we strong support this bill. Giving pedestrians and bicyclists a head start at signalized intersections puts us in the view of drivers. Especially drivers waiting for a moment go for right turn on red. There is an intersection at One Loudoun and Loudoun County Parkway that has put this in use. I feel safer getting out there ahead of everyone. I have had numerous near misses while bicycling or walking my dog, especially those waiting to turn. Thank you!

I regularly bike commute between Alexandria and Navy Yard in DC - bike may proceed on LPI is legal in DC, and I have never encountered a safety problem there when proceeding on LPI, nor have I witnessed one. I feel that I am safer by being able to proceed before turning cars . I think I have seen fewer bikes using crosswalks since DC implemented that. I have biked through all ped phases (there is one near the Eisenhower memorial) and have not had a problem, nor witnessed one. I feel that having the law be consistent between Virginia and DC would be especially helpful in northern Virginia, as we could more easily explain the law to new riders. I strongly support this change.

I am in favor of HB657, which would allow people biking to proceed during a leading pedestrian interval phase at a traffic light-controlled intersection. Leading pedestrian intervals have been found to improve safety for people walking by providing them time to begin crossing a roadway, improving their visibility to motor vehicles and improving the likelihood that a motor vehicle will properly yield to the person in the crosswalk. People who bike would receive similar benefits of improved visibility and reduced conflicts with people driving if they were allowed to proceed during the leading pedestrian interval. In the city of Roanoke this change would be particularly helpful downtown where there are numerous one-way streets controlled by traffic lights with leading pedestrian intervals. In particular, there is one street that goes from one lane on one side of the intersection to three lanes on the other side. A leading interval would allow me to establish myself in the appropriate lane for my destination rather than worry that a driver might attempt to cut around me as the road widens. I worked in Washington, DC for several years after they allowed people biking to proceed on leading pedestrian intervals in 2013. My experience during that time was positive and the law seemed to work well, including at signals with an "all-walk" phase. It felt intuitive and common sense to proceed when pedestrians did and yield to them if needed.

OPPOSE. I disagree with allowing bicyclists -- who are operating a VEHICLE, as defined in the Code of Virginia -- from proceeding into an intersection on a WALK signal from a travel lane. (It should be allowed in a crosswalk, since bicyclists in a crosswalk are legally pedestrians per the Code.) I am a bicyclist who believes that bicyclists benefit most when they follow the same rules as motorists, with few exceptions, and this does not seem to me to be a valid case for such an exception. If I am stopped on my bicycle at a red signal and am waiting with motor vehicles for the green, a head start isn't going to buy me much peace and quiet. As it is, I prefer to wait in the lane behind the cars ahead of me; they have already passed me once, and I'd just as soon not be passed by them again.

Please expand use of automated speed enforcement (ASE, aka speed cameras) beyond the current limitations of school zones and construction zones into high-risk pedestrian corridors. Please allow bicyclists to follow ped signals and treat stop signs as yield signs. These are proven ways to improve road safety. We need to make our roads safer for everyone and welcoming for those choosing modes other than driving.

I enthusiastically SUPPORT HBs 20, 21, 282, 532, 533, 657, 793, 812, 905, 1071, 1072, and 1077. Thank you.

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In regards to HB662 Towing operators performed in police directed towing already currently are required to have TIMS (SHRP2) training, this is overseen by VSP. To require a approved training program be completed is absurd, tow companies do not always off the same type of towing service. Some tow companies focus on Illegally parked vehicles while others may be focused primarily on heavy duty towing and not light duty. Due to this vast nature and different companies needs we prefer to do our on in house training. This insures our employees do things the way we want them to do them. It is also a added un-needed expense in an already high overhead business and seems that with requirement after requirement being focused on driving employees out and making money off of newly required training. Most nationally recognized training programs do not perform recovery services at the level of expertise that our company does, we have set the standard for recovery performance at high level heady duty accidents and do not feel like a mandated class built to profit others should be law. Drug testing is also a mandate that should be left to the employer, as our company performs drug testing prior to hiring and CDL drivers are randomly tested it seems as the "Department" is again requiring tow operators to spend more and more money to provide a service that is already expensive to pay for and even more expensive to provide. In regards to HB 421 I believe the advisory board should also consist of tow company owners from recognized areas and meet every 6 months.

After reading both bills checked above, I disagree with the requirements of having to take classes on how to tow a vehicle or any type of recertification. I've been towing over 35 years without incidence, violations, or out of service tags. I also don't agree with limiting the amounts I am able to charge. Those fees are already regulated by the City of Chesapeake. The requirements to attend an 8 hour course prior to license renewal would put an undue hardship on my employee as well as my business. Between the two of us we have a combined towing experience of 40 years in a tow truck. Not only would this reduce the number of calls we would be able to take, but the cost of such requirements would be excessive in the current market. We work very closely with law enforcement agencies on a daily basis and are always updated on current laws as well as safety regulations.

These bills will destroy the towing industry. Times are hard enough already, with trying to keep steady employees/drivers on the road providing emergency road side assistance to the citizens of the state of Virginia. Most of us are just scraping by. A lot of us are owner/operators, running 24 hrs a day, 7 days a week. These proposed ideas will destroy locally owned towing companies. We cant imagine what these proposed mandatory classes will cost, let alone having to either shut down for classes or work under staffed for them. we all do different types of towing, ie, repos, recoveries, insurance, accidents, impounds. We are all for safety, but are these classes going to show to to properly rig a car that is submerged in water? Rolled over in a field? In a tree? Most training is done in house for the exact reason that we all do/provide different types of towing services. The proposal in which the pricing should be regulated by the state and not localities seems like an over reach of power to us as well. The rates are set by localities for specific reasons, terrain, environment, locality population/accident ratios. The aspect and life of each city/locality is different. With everyone, not just towing companies, struggling with inflation, higher taxes, this is not a good idea. The average cost of tow trucks whether flatbeds or wheel lifts, has doubled if not tripled. Vehicle maintenance fees are gone through the roof with the cost of parts soaring higher and higher. We could talk all day on why these proposed policies will destroy the towing industry, because that's exactly what it will do. SO HOPEFULLY, NEXT TIME YOUR CAR WONT START OR YOU HAVE A BLOW OUT ON THE HIGHWAY AT 1:30 AM, YOU'LL BE GRATEFUL FOR US. OTHERWISE, FIGURE IT OUT YOURSELF.

Opposition to House Bill No. 662 I am writing on behalf of Metro Towing Company, Inc. founded in 1980. I strongly oppose House Bill No. 662 for many reasons. If enacted, this legislation would negatively impact both large and small towing companies in Virginia. This bill is not being brought forth out of a need to educated untrained tow truck driver but by people in the towing industry that want to make money on the backs of others towers. There are many types of training that are already in place. On the job training and job skills that are taught by senior staff and tow company owners happen daily. We want our driver to be successful and well trained more than anyone could because if they are not, we all suffer the consequences

The requirements for training in this bill are unnecessary and sets another hurdle for the tow industry to hire and retain employees. All tow truck drivers must have a drivers authorization document from DCJS. If a newly hired employee does not already have their DCJS card it is a lengthy process to apply and wait for it to be sent. In that time period all a company can do is train and wait for that to come in. The time and expense on further training beyond this is unnecessary. We do regular in-house training as needed. Tow companies nor their drivers are all the same. Some companies only repossess vehicles, some tow point to point like insurance towers, some only tow to insurance auctions, some only impound cars, and some do a variety of types of towing. There is not a one size fits all approach in towing. Incident management classes or recovery classes for a lot of the companies would not be needed. It is extremely very hard to hire and maintain drivers and passing this bill would put an undue burden on our industry as a whole. Make no mistake, this bill is not what the citizens of Virginia need to make towing safer or better. It is being brought forward by people in the towing industry that want to make money on the backs of others towers! This bill is not being endorsed by a locality, city police agency, or the Virginia State Police because there is an inability to provide professional towing services. In fact, tow company are held to a higher standard when towing for a police tow rotation and if that company was not able to provide an expected level of service they would be removed from the rotation list.

Comments Document

Please see the attached letter.

We do our own training in house. Most drivers have years of experience The only person asking for this is trying to make money off us!! WE are not all the same, repo, IPs, accidents, heavy towing, insurance towing, etc. all require different levels and types of experience. Who is going to eat the cost of the yearly drug screening and training courses? This is an undue burden on all of us!

Subject: Opposition to House Bill No. 662 I am writing on behalf of Willow Spring Towing & Recovery, Inc., a company with an established legacy dating back to 1941, providing emergency towing and recovery services in Virginia and beyond. Our founder, Woody Herring, was honored with induction into the International Towing Hall of Fame in 1991 and played a pivotal role in the founding of the Virginia Towing and Recovery Operators Association (VATRO). We wish to express our strong opposition to House Bill No. 662. If enacted, this legislation would adversely impact both large and small towing companies across the state. Our concern arises from the bill’s attempt to address an issue that, in our view, does not exist. The current laws and licensing requirements for towing operators in Virginia are already more stringent than those in any other state. The towing industry is inherently diverse, varying in fleet size, specialization, and geographical location. Attempting to implement a standardized training program that caters to all towing companies overlooks these inherent differences. Companies may specialize in law enforcement towing, towing to repair shops, or towing only salvage vehicles. This diversity creates a need for vastly different employee training needs. In addition some towing companies operate in either high-density traffic areas with many interstates and large highways while others operate in rural areas, making a one-size-fits-all training approach impractical. Moreover, the bill introduces challenges in designating instructors. Our company, along with many others, employs individuals with decades of experience in the towing industry, surpassing the expertise of potential instructors selected by an association. The vague criteria for vetting instructor qualifications further raise concerns about the efficacy of the proposed training programs. It is essential to note that our company and many others in the state already have robust safety measures in place, including roadside safety instruction, specific towing law training, continuous education to adapt to industry changes, and federally mandated drug testing. In conclusion, we firmly believe that the proposed legislative bill imposes unnecessary regulatory burdens. We advocate for maintaining the flexibility to design and implement in-house training programs tailored to our business needs, location, and towing specialization. This approach ensures immediate applicability, promotes employee engagement, and proves cost-effective compared to standardized, externally regulated training. We respectfully urge you to vote against House Bill No. 662, as it introduces unwarranted overregulation and burdens without addressing any current industry shortcomings. Thank you for your attention to this matter. Sincerely, Woodrow W. Herring III Vice President Willow Spring Towing & Recovery, Inc.

HB662 we are against this bill due to the fact that changing the requirement for training will decrease the efforts of drivers wanting to drive tow truck because of the upfront cost of obtaining a DAD card from DCJS that is already a 4 to 6 week process. the upfront cost on this will average around 2500 dollars just to get a DAD license to see if this is the career you want to have. i feel that DCJS should enforce the rules that are already in place for the DAD card before we could even think about adding any other laws to the DCJS to handle when they are unable to handle the ones they already have. This bill has been made up from compaines that provide training for towing and recovery operators to multiply there bank accounts and to have to pay for the same training every 2 years for a renewal would be absolutely absurd. Thank you again i am againt this bill HB662

I believe passing HB 662 will cause an already lengthy process of obtaining a DCJS authorization card to take even longer. I applied for a renewal on 10/6/2023 and I received it on 1/24/2024. I've been doing police-ordered towing for over 40 years we are currently governed by a local tow advisory board as outlined in state code 46.2-1217 and have been since 1995. I submit that if other localities in the commonwealth are having issues with untrained towers they should lobby their localities to form this advisory board to set local standards rather than a one statewide standard that could result in a serious delay in road clearance. There is also a state code 46.2-1233.2 that allows the formation of a private property advisory board to set standards for private property towing Stafford County has both. We already have the tools we need in the commonwealth to set standards and regulate towing locally.

I am George Mahone I own Skimino Enterprises LLC towing in Williamsburg Va I am the President of the Hampton Roads Towing Alliance and Chairman of the Legislative Committee for Virginia Association of Towing and Recovery Operators. HB 662 I oppose this bill as does the HRTA and Vatro this bill will impose a $2.000 to $2,500 increase per DAD card holder this increase will then passed on to your constituents as higher tow fees, This bill will also increases the number of illegal towers that are operating in Virginia today. This bill does nothing to increase the enforcement of drivers with no DAD cards. This Bill will make it 10 times harder to fined new drivers in a already limited market for drivers. This bill would make the light duty towers initiate drug testing which is something the heavy towers already do as it is required for CDL drivers, Light duty companies are not required to have a CDL drivers because they fall in a weight class of 26000 pounds or less and the random drug testing program with the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration is for CDL only Drivers and light duty drivers would not be eligible for this program. I believe this bill is set to do two things, Increase the training revenue for the trainers and drive the one man towers out of the business. please oppose this bill as it does nothing to promote the towing industry in Virginia. We must first have enforcement of our current laws before putting forth training requirements.

The requirements for training in this bill are unnecessary for the following reasons: 1. All tow truck drivers must have a drivers authorization document from DCJS. This process takes a minimum of 3-6 weeks before a person can legally drive a tow truck. During this period all a company can do is train the person which is what companies are doing. Training beyond this is unnecessary 2. Not all towers do the same type of towing. Companies that only repossess vehicles or tow point to point like insurance towers that only tow to insurance auctions would not need incident management classes or recovery classes. 3. It is already very hard to hire and maintain drivers. This will be an extra burden. 4. This bill is being brought forward by people in the towing industry that want to capitalize on training towers for a fee. It is not being brought by a locality or the Virginia State Police because there is an inability to provide professional towing services. In fact, if a tow company is found to not be able to do their job for a police tow rotation that company would be removed from the rotation list.

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I live on a 2-lane scenic byway Albemarle County that is very curvy and has no shoulders and few intersecting roads. There is virtually no place for law enforcement to safely pull over speeders or other violators (such as cars passing on double solid yellow lines or overlength trucks that cannot safely navigate the curves). HBs 20, 521 and 905 would allow localities to utilize existing technology to safely enforce the traffic laws. These bills would enlarge Code Sec. 46.2-882.1, which already has procedural due process safeguards for vehicle owners, including (1) posting a sign within 1000 feet of the camera that it is in use, (2) the ability to contest the violation in court, (3) the fact that no citation issues unless the speed is more than 10 miles over the limit, and (4) the fact that no points are assessed against a driver unless the summons was issued by a law enforcement officer who was present at the time of the offense. The adage that "speed kills" is very true; automate speed enforcement technology is a good way to make the roads safer for drivers, pedestrians and law enforcement officers. Cameras are already used for other traffic violations (such as toll roads and HOV lanes). In some places, cameras are used to catch drivers who run red lights. Cameras can extend the coverage of police departments that are strapped by personnel shortages. THIS IS NOT A MONEY-MAKER FOR THE LOCALITIES, which must use their portion of the civil penalties collected to contract with vendors to install and maintain the camera equipment and provide the recordings to the law enforcement agencies that will issue summonses. My delegate (Amy Laufer) has patroned HB521. I strongly support that bill, as well as HBs 20 and 905, which give localities broader authority to enact ordinances to place speed cameras wherever they feel it is appropriate. HB461 is totally unnecessary because the 1000 foot warning sign requirement is already part of the law.

Please support allowing local jurisdictions to use speed cameras to enforce safe driving. They have been shown to work in slowing vehicles to near the posted speed limits. Adults and children need to be able to navigate our Commonwealth safely without being endangered by reckless drivers. Speed kills, too many pedestrians and vulnerable road users have died. These enforcement mechanisms have been shown to work in other areas. Allow local governments to use this important tool.

To the honorable members of the Transportation - Innovations (Ad Hoc) Committee, To help protect vulnerable Virginians walking, bicycling, and driving, I urge you to pass this legislation: * HB 20 Photo speed monitoring devices; location. * HB 905 Photo speed monitoring devices; location. More than 400 pedestrians were killed in Virginia from 2021-2023 (source: https://rvahub.com/2023/12/13/most-pedestrian-and-cyclists-deaths-caused-by-preventable-accidents-data-shows/). Virginia's county, city, and town governments need the flexibility and permission to install photo speed-monitoring devices wherever they know dangerous drivers are putting lives at risk. I applaud the Legislature's effort in past years permitting automated speed enforcement in school zones, but the City of Falls Church government could only find one place in the City that such a device would be permitted. We have speeding problems all over the City. In Falls Church, members of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Transportation that I chaired until last year were outraged when a traffic study found some drivers topping a jaw-dropping 70 mph on consecutive days on East Columbia Street, a residential street and oft-used bike route. Speeding can happen everywhere and at all times of day. Drivers have been killing pedestrians and bicyclists at astonishing and unacceptable rates across the country in recent years. Drivers struck and killed an estimated 7,485 people on foot in 2021 – the most pedestrian deaths in a single year in four decades and an average of 20 deaths every day, according to an estimate by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA). In 2022, 141 people were killed while walking or biking in the D.C. metro area — 130 pedestrians and 11 bicyclists, according to Street Smart and WUSA9. That's a 37% increase compared to 2021. Speed cameras have proven to change drivers' dangerous behavior. The desired outcome is safe travel for everyone in public spaces, not to raise revenue. I want my 8-year-old daughter to be able to walk and bike to school someday, but we need more tools available to ensure safe driving. Please pass HB 20/HB 905. Thank you for your consideration and for your work to make Virginia safer.

I am Chief Maggie DeBoard from the Herndon Police Department and am the legislative chair for the VACP. The Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police strongly supports HB 905 which will allow local jurisdictions to expand the use of photo speed cameras to assist with traffic enforcement and calming. Our localities continue to experience significant traffic challenges, including excessive speed. These cameras will provide a steady deterrent for drivers to slow down, doing the job that law enforcement officers cannot consistently do. It also will assist localities with managing speeding problems that remain understaffed from a law enforcement perspective. Lastly, the cameras do not contain any bias that is often an expressed concern for law enforcement stops. They simply record the speed and tag of a vehicle that passes through. These speed cameras have been very successfully used in our neighboring state of Maryland with great success.

I'm writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. Driving over the speed limit makes our communities less safe, limits our opportunities to live, work and play, and leads to serious injuries and death — not to mention increased pollution through tire dust particulates and lower fuel efficiency. Automated speed enforcement is a tool that can help with all of these factors — simply put, stopping driving over the speed limit speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I am writing in full SUPPORT of HB21, HB461, HB521, HB533, HB905, and HB1072, regarding photo speed monitoring devices and regarding expansion of school zone definitions. As a major advocate for the addition of school bus stop arm cameras, which I am thrilled passed, my support is rooted in improving the safety of our community's pedestrians and cyclists. In communities around the Commonwealth, there is an important and valuable push toward making our neighborhoods and towns more walkable and more bicycle-friendly. But in today's environment, it's a dangerous and often deadly choice for those who do try to walk or cycle, as drivers exceeding the speed limit is the norm, and police departments cannot possibly monitor and patrol every road and intersection. Speed monitoring equipment would be effective and efficient, with the end goal of reducing speeds and reducing violations. I know some citizens cry, "It's a money grab!" No, it's not. Don't speed, and you won't get fined. (Similarly, don't go around a school bus when its stop arm is out, and you won't get fined.) The irony of those citizens' 'money grab' argument is that the localities that are advocating for speed monitoring systems want to REDUCE speeders, thereby reducing any revenue that might result from the equipment. In terms of school zones, I live within one mile of four schools in our community, and I routinely witness cars speeding on our city's primary, secondary, AND tiny neighborhood streets; ignoring crosswalks; running stop signs and red lights; and not slowing down even for backpack-wearing kids or dog walkers as their single focus is getting their child to school or as they're late for after-care pickup. At the same time, walkers are trying to safely cross the road to reach the schools, and the number of near-misses I've personally witnessed would curl your toes. A key solution would be speed monitoring systems, which is about the only thing that seems to scare drivers straight. It's a proven tool for changing behavior, and a proven tool for achieving our goal: decreasing driver speed, decreasing violations, and decreasing deadly encounters between cars and humans. Lastly, I'm in full support of giving localities the right and responsibility of determining where to install equipment; we know our roads, driver habits, and problem areas intimately well, and the placement of such devices will therefore be far more effective in reducing violations and speeding while increasing the safety of our citizens. We MUST make our communities safer, pursue avenues for making walking and cycling more attractive so that we can reduce our dependence on greenhouse-gas-emitting automobiles, and allow our localities to make informed decisions for the communities they know best. Thank you. Stephanie Oppenheimer 610 N Oak St Falls Church VA 22046 skylitecomm@yahoo.com 703.856.3995

SUPPORT: I wholeheartedly support the expansion of speed cameras. Speeding happens everywhere - not just school or construction zones - and at all times of day. This reckless behavior has worsened in recent years with alarming growth in accidents and fatalities. As a member of City Council, this is the top community concern I hear daily, and we, in local governments, need more tools to address this. It's unrealistic to expect police to be everywhere at once for traffic enforcement. Automated speed enforcement is a proven way to deter speeding and a more consistent way to enforce traffic laws.

Please allow the expansion of speed cameras and make less restrictions on their placement. Speeding in our neighborhoods is out of control and there are not enough police to ensure people are driving at the appropriate speed. I wish people would not speed, but unfortunately the reckless driving is pervasive in the state’s culture right now. From rural Virginia to the suburbs and cities, speed cameras are a reasonable solution that communities can use to enhance road safety. I strongly support HB 20 and HB 905.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I fully 100% support speed ticket camera/photo enforcement bills to pass into law for 2024. Virginia fatality road deaths are TOO HIGH on per Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller statements in 2023 and 2024 General Assembly. 1. VDOT in Fauquier County office has failed to provide proper safe shoulder widths on Route 17 between Marshall to Warrenton which is a 8.5 four lane major commercial and commuter highway. When vehicle crashes happen on Rte 17 the emergency fire trucks and ambulances cannot get to the crash site in a efficient time because the traffic backs up quickly for 1-4 miles due to current VDOT count of over 7 million vehicles per year using this section of Rte 17. Tractor trailers and automobiles cannot move out of the way due to not wide enough road shoulders and steep ditch drop offs. Speeding is the primary problem on Route 17 so reducing the speeding problem reduces the crashes due to increased reaction time by the driver. Speed ticket camera's will greatly reduce the speeding to help police get it under control. 2. School buses use Route 17 to drop off and pick up children in Fauquier County. By law the school bus driver MUST stop in the RIGHT hand lane of Route 17. The problem became so bad years ago that the Fauquier County Board of Supervisors, and past Sheriff Robert Mosier had to put cameras on all exterior sides of the school buses to help police catch speeders who would NOT stop per law when the school bus stopped. Speed ticket camera's are allowed currently since 2020 in school zones in Virginia where children are picked up and dropped off. Route 17 is simply a extension of the school zone and speed ticket camera's are gravely needed to reduce this speeding problem for the safety of school children as a MORE efficient way to stop the speeding. 3. A $100 fine citation issued by a Speed Ticket Camera has a Sheriff Deputy police officer involved in the review of the citation in Fauquier County, as well as x2 employee's of the Vendor Blue Line Solutions company that implements the Speed Ticket Camera technology which also hires ex-police officers. Anyone receiving a citation has the option to go to court to fight the citation if they choose. Speed ticket camera's DO NOT show favoritism to any drivers. They issue a citation at 11mph over the set speed limit. They do the job very well in any weather condition and DO NOT get sick from COVID or other diseases. They are a great assistance to overwhelmed police forces so police can focus on other serious public safety problems in Virginia. 4. Photo Enforcement camera technology already exists in Virginia which is NOT a invasion of privacy such as: 4a. On I-66 and other roadways by DMV and VDOT to collect Express lane and HOV lane drivers and violators. 4b. Used on exterior of school buses in Fauquier County to help catch speeders passing stopped school buses. 4c. Used on road construction area's. 4d. Used in Walmart Warrenton Parking lot for public safety. Speed ticket camera's are a sensible solution to increase public safety and NOT an invasion of privacy. 5. Rte 17 traffic volume grows yearly in Fauquier per VDOT data by 100,000 to 200,000 per year. Currently over 7 million. Over 4 million speeders. Police speed tickets average 300-500 max on Rte 17 Marshall to Warrenton per year

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

I am writing today to enthusiastically support the expansion of authority to use automated speed enforcement in Virginia. We know that driving over the speed limit is not only illegal, it leads to more serious injuries and deaths on our streets. Automated speed enforcement is a proven tool to stop driving over the speed limit. These bills provide more than adequate safeguards to ensure that automated speed enforcement is implemented fairly. The dangers of speeding are particularly acute for children - who both cannot drive themselves to get around and are more vulnerable to serious injury while walking and biking. We need more automated speed enforcement in Virginia to enable our children to get around independently and safely - not only near schools but throughout our communities.

FAVOR. I am fed up with flagrant speeders both on the streets in my community and on the open road. I am also fed up with being tailgated by such people. I support more speed monitoring cameras in all locations EXCEPT ON DOWNGRADES. The District of Columbia had a speed camera and a limit of 25 m.p.h. on the K St. approach to I-66, a place where drivers were expecting to speed up. It was on a downgrade, making violation more likely -- and while I never triggered it, I upset the guy behind me the first time I encountered it. The Town of Front Royal has decreasing speed limits on two successive downgrades of Rte. 55 west coming into town. The design of the road looks to me to be fine for 35 m.p.h. I am OK with them setting the speed limit to whatever speed they want, but the decreased limit should take place at the top of a hill, not the bottom.

Speed Ticket Camera's: DO NOT get sick from COVID or other diseases. Always ready to do the job to enforce speed limits. DO NOT Abandon their post, or look for work elsewhere for higher paying salaries. DO NOT get injured on the job, or harmed by a violent driver in the car. Are NOT Prejudice regarding race or gender, and DO NOT show favoritism of social-economic status or business relations. Do the job 24 hours a day if programmed that way, 365 days a year. Function day and night, in any weather. Proven data from other states that speeding reduces quickly over time. Free up Law Enforcement to focus on other speeding locations where cameras are not present. Free up Law Enforcement to engage in many other society problems and responsibilities. What Speed Ticket Camera's Cannot Do that Police Can Do: Just about everything else that is criminal behavior and to protect and serve communities. Police will always have jobs to do because we have alot of problems in society and Fauquier County. Police forces are struggling since COVID 2020 to refill positions as are just about any business is these days. Data from VDOT, Sheriff and State Police show speed citations dropped around covid because there were less police to address the speeding problems, but VDOT data shows speeding was STILL VERY MUCH present in the millions on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton. They issue a speed citation at 11mph over the set speed limit, so some speeding is still being allowed. Parents or guardians will end up having conversations with the young drivers in their homes to be aware NOT to speed. My father had same conversation with me back when I was 16 with 1st drivers license driving the family car. He told me any tickets I get I will be paying him back thru summer work. Any damages done to the vehicle I will pay him back thru summer work. I never got a speeding ticket, but I did put a dent in my father's truck backing up into a pole and I had to pay for it. I NEVER dented the car again after that bill to fix it. Young drivers are MORE prone to cause crashes that lead to death and injury and that is why insurance rates are MUCH higher for them. So parents having conversations IN ADVANCE knowing speed ticket camera's are present on Fauquier Roads will establish GOOD driving behavior before it gets BAD and dangerous. Best education starts in the home with Mom and Dad, and speed ticket camera's will stimulate that because Mom and Dad will NOT want to get a $100 bill in the mail. Some Virginia counties are implementing a 1st time citation to be only $50 so as to provide a KIND WARNING Wake UP Call . I think that is fair, and legislation could work that into the various speed ticket camera bills as needed.

I support speed ticket cameras to be allowed on dangerous roads in Virginia, especially Route 17. These devices will get the speeding under quick serious control. This is NOT about making money as I have read in some online articles about speed ticket camera's. They do make money as does any citation would, however if they make a lot of money it is because an area must have a SERIOUS speeding problem in that area. The online articles often refer to the money reinvested back into a county to repair or implement other public safety project needs that otherwise would NEVER get done or cause the need to raise our taxes. Its a WIN-WIN situation. Lives will be saved thru less crashes due to speeding, and I constantly see people driving and texting on Route 17 all the time. It scares me often. Police just cannot keep up with the speeding problem, and I am watched a video for Richmond General Assembly 2024 session about how gangs, drugs and human trafficking are on a continued dangerous rise. So let the speed ticket camera's help take a HUGE burden off of police on the worst roads so they can focus on these other criminal elements PLEASE. Republicans from information shared with me show they have primarily VOTED NO for these bills and stopped them multiple times in the past. We need these devices and the technology is available to support them now in 2024 so USE IT. These devices are proven to work well in Maryland, and Ohio and other states. Tractor trailers using Route 17 is going to continue to rise due to the Ports of Virginia growth I per trade journals I read. They care only about speeding thru Fauquier to make money to deliver cargo quicker. I rarely see them pulled over by police, except for more recently around June thru September 2023 which I was told was due to a fellow supporter speaking with Governor Youngkin helping us out some. If the Governor made a call to get the police out on Route 17 for speeding than the problem must be bad.

I support HB 20, 461, 521, 533, 905, 1032 that all have to do with Speed Ticket Camera to ASSIST police to get the long term speeding under serious control. Too many tractor trailers tailgating drivers to speed above the 55mph speed limit on Route 17. Commuter vehicles DO NOT respect locals when they slow down to turn into driveways off of Rte 17 with TOO MANY near misses. Some citizens have died due to speeding while texting. Information in this posting is specific to Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton which is dangerous with many large and small hills, blind curves and x3 Deadly intersections of Belvoir Rd, Old Tavern Rd and Blantyre Road where crashes occur a lot at Old Tavern Rd intersection. VDOT made some minor upgrades at Old Tavern Rd intersection, but primarily is NOT Helping as speeding still continues. VDOT's actions are typically NOT affective to help and ignore majority of citizens input at June 7th 2022 Public Meeting to simply lower the speed limit to 45mph or 50mph from Warrenton to Marshall as a way to help traffic enter and exit Route 17. Slow moving LONG equestrian and farm livestock trailers are at highest risk plus the school buses trying to navigate ONTO or OFF of Route 17 due to speeding in both directions. The gaps have become much more limited than in the past to find SAFE breaks in the traffic flows in both directions. Speed Ticket Camera's function in the following sensible way: 1. Issue speed ticket at 11mph over the speed limit. State Police and Fauquier Sheriff Dept data combined with VDOT data shows Millions of speeders above the 55mph zone on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton yet only around 300 to 400 speed citations issued per year COMBINED by State Police and Deputies on this section of Route 17. 2. Police data shows they Primarily write speed citations at 74mph in a 55mph zone on Route 17. Speed ticket cameras would issue a citation at 66mph in a 55mph zone which is MUCH better and would capture MILLIONS of speeders to STOP speeding. 75mph in a 55mph zone in Virginia per law is Reckless driving, so police are allowing reckless driving before they engage to chase down a speeder if the police are even present. They are outnumbered and NEED HELP thru Technology. 3. Cameras ONLY take photo of rear of Vehicle so no invasion of privacy. DMV and VDOT camera systems on I-66 HOV lanes to collect payment and issue fines. Camera systems also mounted on poles all along I-66. School buses in Fauquier have camera systems on ALL sides of a bus to help capture speeders that are supposed to STOP behind a school bus picking up or Dropping off children on Rte 17. Warrenton Walmart, grocery stores and businesses have camera's in their parking lots. Cell phones are worst tracking of a person privacy than they realize. So invasion of privacy is a POOR excuse NOT to implement these devices that will save peoples lives thru speed reduction. 4. Because school buses on Rte 17 drop off and pick up children as they do in school zones where speed ticket cameras are now allowed per 2020 law, Rte 17 essentially is a EXTENSION of a SCHOOL zone. Rte 17 is MUCH more Dangerous than a school zone, and the school buses BY LAW must STOP in the RIGHT hand lane of Rte 17 and NOT allowed to pull off onto a shoulder. Shoulder lanes barely exist anyway. 5. VDOT has NOT provided wide enough shoulder widths for police safe enforcement. Speed Ticket Cameras DO NOT need widened road shoulders to do the job well.

I support HB 20, 461, 521, 533, 905, 1032 that all have to do with Speed Ticket Camera to ASSIST police to get the long term speeding, increasing fatalities and injuries due to vehicle crashes on Route 17 Marshall to Warrenton (8.5 Miles). Police need HELP and unable to keep the speeding under long term control. Statements by Virginia Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller said to Senate Transportation Committee and House of Delegate Transportation Committee in 2023 and 2024: "Critically important to them is public safety and highway deaths are still a serious problem in Virginia for many years. Over 1000 deaths per year on Virginia highways for many years in Virginia is too many and that needs serious attention." Used the analogy that if 1000 deaths were from x3 jet airliners crashing in the same year that it would garner immediate attention to fix it, but because the deaths are spread out across a year on Virginia Highways in different locations it does not get serious attention. NOTE* Mr Miller made no mention of the many other regular road ways that have speeding and fatalities besides just on highways. Terrance C. Cole Secretary of Public Safety and Homeland Security said to House of Delegates Public Safety Committee on January 12th 2024. "Overall decline in individuals serving in law enforcement has placed additional strain on existing personal.” "Police forces are under INCREASING Threats, and causes increase stress, PTSD, and anxiety in their lives." This supports the need for Speed Ticket Camera's to assist police to get a serious handle of the out of control speeding for public safety all over Fauquier County and Virginia because of police forces diminished since COVID and struggling to hire more officers per my direct contact with State Police about this also. State Police informed me COVID just sped up a known problem with many State Police Officers were ready for retirement, and past Sheriff Robert Mosier said in all his years in law enforcement he had NEVER witnessed the mass exodus of police forces. Terrance Coal Secretary of Homeland Security and Public Safety stated the following facts to the House of Delegate Public Safety Committee at this 2024 Session: 1. Human and sex Trafficking has increased in Virginia Common Wealth and linked to gangs and organized criminal organizations. Violent crimes on the rise. Public safety is a serious position, and emphasized killing of kids is happening due to gang growths. 2. Illegal Drugs in Virginia also on the rise. Mexican cartels stated as main problem distributing Fentanyl is the main problem and serious influence in Common Wealth of Virginia. More dangerous drugs on the rise such as Nitazene that is 10x deadlier than Fentanyl. 3.Gang activity increasing in common wealth of Virginia. 648 Home Grown and National Gangs operating in Virginia. “The commonwealth of Virginia is experiencing significant public safety and homeland security challenges which is attributed to the violence associated with Street Gangs, Human / Labor Trafficking, Influx of illegal narcotics, Legislation which has weakened law enforcement’s ability to interdict, sale of unregulated marijuana products” Essentially POLICE have plenty of work to keep them BUSY protecting society from further break down. Speed Ticket Camera's can address the speeding problem to allow police to focus more on gangs, drugs and human sex trafficking.

I enthusiastically SUPPORT HBs 20, 21, 282, 532, 533, 657, 793, 812, 905, 1071, 1072, and 1077. Thank you.

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Comments Document

I have been working as a rideshare driver for five years. four years ago Uber Eats introduced something called upfront fares where the fare of a ride is shown up front and is based on factors that are not shared with drivers. Uber for passengers followed suit two years ago and Lyft did the same last year. This new pay model is different from the last pay model in that we are no longer paid per mile and per minute. With "upfront"fares" we are paid less per mile and minute the longer a trip is. According to the IRS it costs me 62 cents per mile to operate my car. With the new pay structure most trips over 10 miles pay less than the federal minimum wage when accounting for the cost of operating a motor vehicle. I've been taking screen shots of the longer trips that have been offered to me. After accounting for the expense of the trip and not accounting for the trip back they are paying on average less than $2 an hour. When I account for the cost of driving back to Richmond I am losing money. Some of the trips lose money without even accounting for the cost of the drive back. This pay structure change has cost me hundreds of dollars a week as I can no longer accept the longer trips because now I lose money on them. These ride share companies should be required to reimburse drivers the IRS cost per mile. At the very least the "upfront fare" should show us what the cost per mile adds up to. I can see how the upfront fares could look attractive to a less experienced driver. For example: This is an actual fare I was offered on January 6. This ride and a boost of $1.50. The pickup was 4 minutes and 0.7 miles away. The was estimated to take 52 minutes and was 50.1 miles long. It paid $32.99. Not accounting for the ride back or the cost per mile of running and maintaining a motor vehicle $32.99 for roughly an hour of work sounds pretty decent. The total cost per mile for this trip using the IRS metric of $0.62 per mile is $31.50 meaning that after completing this trip I have driven almost an hour and earned $1.49 and this isn't even factoring in the time and cost of driving back home to Richmond after. A novice driver who might not yet be aware of how much money they are actually spending when they accept and complete trips for Uber/Lyft might see this trip and think that $32.99 to drive to spend 2 hours driving to Williamsburg and back sounds pretty good without being aware of their true cost.

I support Virginia legislature concerning Uber and any transportation company operating in Virginia to have fare transparency. I do not support a union as we the people can work with our representatives to achieve our goals together I’m against video surveillance of citizens in a free country which also includes automated speed recorders. I agree we have crazy drivers. I don’t agree with smart monitoring though.

The most important piece of the pay transparency bill is the portion that compels TNC's to share info about our wages vs our expenses. Virginia drivers recognize this bill as an important first step in demanding fair treatment and a living wage from corporations that thrive on underpaying us and ignoring our expenses in favor of their profits.

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I'm James A. Dowell, Owner of Battlefield Service Center (BSC) and President of The Virginia Association of Towing and Recovery Operators of Virginia. Myself and our Membership are opposed to HB925 as it is written. Thank you all for all your hard and endless work dealing with all these bills.

I am George mahone I own Skimino Enterprises Towing in Williamsburg Va. I am also President of the Hampton Roads towing Alliance, and legislative Committee Chairman for Virginia Association of Towing and Recovery Operators. HB 959 I oppose this bill as does the HRTA and Vatro as it is written

HB 959 - FAVOR. Towing companies should be subject to the Virginia Consumer Protection Act.

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OPPOSE: I oppose the proposal to increase the duration of Virginia's safety inspection beyond 12 months. There are plenty of people driving around with dead brake lights (sometimes all of them) even with a duration of 12 months, and it stands to reason that if you double the length of inspection validity, you will double the number of vehicles on the road with defective equipment.

I strongly OPPOSE HB1047. Annual vehicle inspections can and do save lives and are a small inconvenience to ensure your car (and those around you) are safe for the road. This affected me personally. A few years ago, my previous car failed inspection because the tube that carries brake fluid had a bulge in it. Apparently, that bulge could've burst at any time and I would've lost all brake pressure immediately. There was no way for me to know I had this bulge in the tube until it burst. So the inspection quite likely saved my life because I never would've known until it was too late that the brake tube was nearly nonfunctional. Thank you for your time. This is a top priority for me.

I support this bill as the vehicle inspection process in the Commonwealth is broken. It requires way too much time to find a shop that can do it without an hours-long wait because they can't accept appointments. Capping what they can charge makes it the lowest priority service for them. Additionally, studies show the inspections provide no impact on vehicle safety, reduction in accidents, etc. The whole system needs reform or abolishment, but HB1047 is a good first start.

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Comments Document

Dear Chair Delaney and Members of the Committee: On behalf of our respective organizations, please find attached a letter in support of HB 1073 relating to tow truck drivers and prohibited acts. We thank you for your review and consideration. Respectfully,

I'm James A. Dowell owner of Battlefield Service Center (BSC) in Manassas Va. and President of The Virginia Association of Towing and Recovery Operators of Virginia. I myself and our membership are for the support of HB1073. All law enforcement police tows are having a problem with towers jumping police calls and soliciting the drivers at accident scene on the side of a busy unsafe highway . Calls that the police have dispatched a police tower to the incident what ever it may be. Even after the police have called a qualified and a approved wrecker from there local list. These drivers prey on people that are in a stressful situation, and I believe most are illegal towers with out having DAD card and in many cases without having a Tow truck that meets the local requirements from the police department. They don't clean up the accident area or charge the required prices and rates set forth by the local police department and governing parties. So yes I support this HB1073 and totally prohibit any soliciting of towers on any highway. Thank you all for all your hard work and endless hours working on the bills.

HB1073 i support this bill as it is well needed in all localities and in the state this bill would eliminate towers that are not on police rotation list from stopping and accident scenes and soliciting the towing of vehicals from the accidents without police rotation calls. these same towers are what we call police scanner jumpers will not work with the insurance companies to be able to retreive the customers car at a fair rate, again i am in support of this bill HB1073

Comments Document

Dear Chair Glass and Members of the Subcommittee: On behalf of our respective organizations, please find attached above a letter in support of HB 1073 relating to tow truck drivers and prohibited acts. We thank you for your review and consideration. Respectfully,

I am George mahone I own Skimino Enterprises Towing in Williamsburg Va. I am also President of the Hampton Roads towing Alliance, and legislative Committee Chairman for Virginia Association of Towing and Recovery Operators. HB 1073 I support this bill as does the HRTA and Vatro. We are having a problem with towers jumping police calls and soliciting the drivers at accident calls even after the police have called a rotation wrecker. These drivers prey on people that are in a stressful situation and I believe most are illegal towers with no DAD cards again i support this bill.

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I strongly support HB 1077. I commute to DC by bike and would personally benefit from this legislation. Many cyclists are already operating with Idaho stops and many motorists expect it. I have occasionally seen motorists confused when cyclists do stop at stop signs. Putting this rule on the books would better reflect the behavior that already exists and has been shown to improve safety.

I support HB 1077. Similar legislation has been enacted in nine other states and has been shown to improve safety outcomes, by enabling people on bicycles to move more efficiently through an intersection, reducing their exposure to car traffic and increasing their visibility. As a transportation safety advocate, I know the "Idaho Stop" can seem weird at first blush. The goal of the Idaho Stop is keeping bikes moving at safe, predictable speeds to improve the safety of everyone at an intersection. Importantly, the bill notes that "operator slows to a reasonable speed" and "yields the right-of-way to any pedestrian."

As a Henrico citizen, and a traffic engineer that serves on the Bicycle Technical Committee of the National Committee of Uniform Traffic Control Devices, I have major concerns about including legislation in VA Code (HB657 and HB1077) that conflicts with engineering guidance provided in the FHWA Manual of Uniform Traffic Control Devices that governs the use of traffic control devices. These two laws directly conflict with the guidance and standards in the MUTCD, which is federal law. In addition, I don't believe legislators should be permitted to pass laws that guide licensed engineering decisions related to traffic signs, signals, or any other traffic control devices.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

We SUPPORT HB 1077, the "bicyclist safety stop" or "Delaware Yield", to allow bike riders to treat Stop signs as Yield signs under limited circumstances. As unenclosed, much slower, and human-powered devices, bicycles differ fundamentally from motor vehicles. Current Virginia law requires a full stop at up to 3 different places--before a Stop line, before a marked crosswalk, and where one has a clear view of cross traffic--and subjects bike riders to selective and discriminatory law enforcement, even while yielding appropriately to vehicles and pedestrians with the right-of-way. HB 1077 would simply conform Virginia law to real-world, safe bicycling practices. The "Delaware Yield" is already lawful in 10 states and Washington, DC.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

Please support HB1077. According to the NHTSB, "based upon the current research and data available, these stop-as-yield (safety stop) laws showed added safety benefits for bicyclists in States where they were evaluated, and may positively affect the environment, traffic, and transportation." We need to work together to reduce risks to vulnerable road users and encourage people to use modes of transportation that have significant benefits for health and the environment relative to cars. "In 2017, Delaware adopted a similar, stop-as-yield law, known as the 'Delaware Yield.' Traffic crashes involving bicyclists at stop sign intersections fell by 23% in the 30 months after the law’s passage, compared to the previous 30 months. Eight States (Arkansas,Delaware, Idaho, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Oregon, Utah, and Washington) have similar laws. Colorado passed a law in 2018 that allowed local municipalities to adopt standard language on safe bicycle yielding at stops." Please listen to the NHTSB and make this safe behavior legal for cyclists in Virginia. https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/202 3-03/Bicyclist-Yield-As-Stop-Fact-Sheet_032123_v5_tag.pdf

Comments Document

In 2023, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration evaluated current research and data and found that laws like the one being proposed "showed added safety benefits for bicyclists in States where they were evaluated, and may positively affect the environment, traffic, and transportation." There is no rational justification for opposing HB1077. Reference: https://www.nhtsa.gov/sites/nhtsa.gov/files/2023-03/Bicyclist-Yield-As-Stop-Fact-Sheet_032123_v5_tag.pdf

I support HB 1077. Safety Stop legislation has been enacted in 9 other states and has been shown to improve safety outcomes, by enabling people on bicycles to move more quickly through an intersection, reducing their exposure to car traffic and increasing their visibility.

I support HB 1077. Safety Stop legislation has been enacted in 9 other states and has been shown to improve safety outcomes, by enabling people on bicycles to move more quickly through an intersection, reducing their exposure to car traffic and increasing their visibility.

FAVOR. I favor the proposal to allow bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs in certain situations as yield signs so long as the intersecting highway has no more than one (1) lane of traffic in each direction, and so long as the bicyclist does not exceed a speed of ten (10) miles per hour. At this reduced speed, a cyclist should be able to come to a full stop if he suddenly sees that the intersection is not clear, as he believed when making the decision to proceed. I favor the clarification of the definition of a "substandard lane". I favor the proposal to allow cyclists to ride two abreast when riding on a multi-lane highway. I feel very strongly that in the absence of a smooth, paved shoulder of at least three (3) feet in width, cyclists in a group are safer when riding two-abreast than they are when riding single file. I have witnessed numerous incidents in which a motorist, when faced with a long line of cyclists riding single file, has misjudged the distance and time needed to pass them and has cut back in too soon, putting people at risk. When cyclists are two-abreast, it is more apparent to the motorist that he will need to move into the left lane, and this seems to make him more cautious because he perceives his own safety is involved. I have been bicycling for 59 years and driving for 50 years, so I know a thing or two about doing both things safely.

I support HB1266 as it improves bicyclist safety and visibility, and clarifies driving laws. I also support HB1077. Safety Stop legislation has been enacted in 9 other states and has been shown to improve safety outcomes, by enabling people on bicycles to move more quickly through an intersection, reducing their exposure to car traffic and increasing their visibility.

I support HB 1077. Safety Stop legislation has been shown to improve safety outcomes and I strongly support allowing local jurisdictions to determine their own restrictions on this topic.

Please expand use of automated speed enforcement (ASE, aka speed cameras) beyond the current limitations of school zones and construction zones into high-risk pedestrian corridors. Please allow bicyclists to follow ped signals and treat stop signs as yield signs. These are proven ways to improve road safety. We need to make our roads safer for everyone and welcoming for those choosing modes other than driving.

I enthusiastically SUPPORT HBs 20, 21, 282, 532, 533, 657, 793, 812, 905, 1071, 1072, and 1077. Thank you.

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Comments Document

Virginia League of Conservation Voters encourages you to SUPPORT HB645, HB657, HB1266 Reasons to SUPPORT HB645 - (Reaser) Electric vehicles; signs for parking spaces reserved for charging vehicles. Currently, signs reserving space for electric vehicle charging are required to read "Penalty, up to $25”--prescribed by the Code of Virginia (§ 46.2-1219.3). This is unnecessarily specific and could result in costly updates to signage for public EV charging space operators or localities. The simple and clear language proposed by HB645 would prevent confusion and future-proofs against costly sign replacement. SUPPORT HB657 (Sullivan) Pedestrian control signals; applicability to persons riding bicycles and other devices. Extends safety benefits of Leading Pedestrian Intervals (LPIs) to people biking in bike lanes and travel lanes. Improves safety for people biking by allowing them to get ahead of and be more visible to drivers. Current law allows a person biking in the crosswalk to proceed on a walk signal; this legislation extends applicability to a person biking using a bike lane or travel lane. SUPPORT HB1266 (Willet) Bicycles and certain other vehicles; various changes to provisions relating to operation. This legislation would improve the safety of people bicycling by allowing them to treat stop signs as yield signs in limited circumstances (Safety Stop), permitting two-abreast bicycling without restriction except on two-lane roads with a speed limit greater than 30 MPH, and clarifying the rules for narrow travel lanes.

This is a common sense tool that will help protect people riding bikes, scooters, and other personal mobility devices. Please pass this.

I write to urge you to support HB 1266 Bicycles and certain other vehicles; various changes to provisions relating to operation. It would make several common-sense changes that would increase the ability to ride bicycles safely. It allows people riding bikes to yield instead of stop at intersections when doing so is safe. I admit to "rolling" through stop signs and stop lights when riding through the Fan in RVA. I feel safer rolling than stopping when I can easily see that no traffic is approaching. Rolling reduces the time I must spend in the intersection and often allows cars bunched at an intersection to pass me more safely than if I left the intersection with them. It also defines clearly when riders are not required to ride to the right. The current language is ambiguous and confusing. It requires drivers to move left and allows them to cross the center line when passing riders on narrow roads. Giving riders space on narrow roads is essential to reducing collisions when cars overtake bicyclists. Finally, it allows bicyclists to ride two abreast as long as they don't impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic on roadways with only one travel lane per direction and a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or more. It also allow bicyclists to impede traffic by riding two abreast when the speed limit is 30 miles per hour or less. Most adults "shepherding" a child on a narrow road in a neighborhood protect the child by riding to the left of the child. Here, two abreast is safer than single file. Riding two abreast increases the visibility of both riders and prevents the child from swerving in the path of a car as it overtakes the riders.

I am writing in support of HB1266 and specifically the provisions that would remove the requirement for persons riding bicycles, electric personal assistive mobility devices, electric power-assisted bicycles, or motorized skateboards or scooters on a highway two abreast to move into a single-file formation. Riding next to my partner, a friend, or a fellow cyclist while riding with a group can make riding more enjoyable by enabling conversation, can make riding safer by preventing vehicles from overtaking on blind corners or constrained roadways, and can make overtaking easier for drivers where a single-file formation would double the length of overtaking for an otherwise compact group of cyclists riding two abreast. The current requirement to "move into a single-file formation as quickly as is practicable when being overtaken" introduces uncertainty into the overtaking maneuver as it requires bicyclists to move during the overtaking maneuver. Bicyclists may move to a single-file formation by speeding up or slowing down and the overtaking driver may be caught off guard or be unable to complete their maneuver as the length of a cycling group increases during the maneuver. Removing this requirement may allow drivers to rely on the current formation of a cycling group when planning their overtaking maneuver, resulting in more consistent and safer interactions. Most states do not have any similar requirement regarding moving to a single-file when being overtaken. For example, states such as Texas (§ 551.103(c)) and Oklahoma (§ 11-1205(b)) have less restrictive laws regarding bicyclists riding two abreast without any requirement related to moving to a single-file formation.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

My understanding is that one of the objections to this bill is that allowing cyclists to ride two abreast on roads less than 35 mph might cause road rage. As a cyclist, I ride where it's safest for me on every road, and yes, motorists can be impatient. But the solution for that isn't to make cyclists less safe. The solution is to address a culture that currently prioritizes the motorist getting to his destination faster by risking the safety of other users. The solution lies in educating motorists and police enforcement against driver actions that are dangerous. Speed kills, and any driver on a road less than 35mph who can't wait for 30 seconds for a cyclist to get to a place where it is safe to past is not just risking that cyclist, but the child ahead who might be crossing the street. Allowing cyclist to ride two-abreast on these roads increases their visual signature so that the drivers are more likely to travel at a speed which gives them time to react if something unexpected occurs (i.e., that child in the crosswalk). I was hit by a car in March 2023. I was extremely fortunate that the driver was inattentive but NOT speeding. But if there had been two of us riding abreast, the driver might well have seen us and stopped before hitting us. Please choose safety.

Motorists convenience! I am seen by motorists. Be seen. SHARE THE ROAD. Drive responsibly.

As a grandparent cycling with young grandchildren the provisions in this bill allowing riding two abreast will help keep us safer and able to enjoy a healthy activity. As a recreational cyclist with thousands of miles experience I can confirm that allowing riding two abreast keeps the cyclists more visible and everyone safer. Cyclist are safer when vehicles are able to pass at lower speeds in shorter distances. I have witnessed too many situations where drivers speed up too fast into blind curves to pass a line of single file cyclists resulting in near misses. On these same roads the driver could have passed at a lower speed in a safer manner if the cyclists were allowed to ride two abreast creating a more compact group. Please pass this bill to help make our roads safer for all users.

We SUPPORT HB 1266. In addition to the "bicyclist safety stop" provision of HB 1077, HB 1266 appropriately removes Virginia's current limitations on groups of people bicycling two abreast on multi-lane roadways and on two-lane roadways with a post speed limit of 30 MPH or less. On two-lane roadways with a posted speed limit of 35 MPH or higher, two-abreast riders would still be required to not unreasonably impede following traffic. Nearly half of all U.S. states impose NO limitations on two-abreast bicycling within a single travel lane, so HB 1266 is a reasonable compromise to minimize delays to motorists when it matters most--on fast, two-lane roadways with frequent on-coming traffic. Two-abreast bicycling improves the visibility of bicycling groups and facilitates safe overtaking by motorists.

I enthusiastically support these changes which will improve the safety for people people biking and make our entire transportation system safer. I often ride to get around Northern Virginia and my children, who are too young to drive, also use bikes to get around. - Safety Stop - People that riding heavier, kid-carrying bikes and children riding bikes often take extra time to start from a full stop. Allowing the safety stop allows these people to get through an intersection - and out of danger - more quickly. It also keeps the flow on the street moving. Finally, it just makes sense that people on bikes - who have a better sense of their surroundings because they are not inside a car and who are far less likely to kill someone in a crash - have less of a need to come to a complete stop at every stop sign. - Riding Two Abreast (aka side-by-side) - When riding with kids, I want the kids beside me to my right so that anyone approaching from behind can see us, so that the kid does not swerve into the path of other traffic, and so that we arrive at intersections together. - Bike Proceed on Walk Signal - Today, we can bike with the walk signal, which is safer, when we're on the sidewalk. This change would allow us to stay on the street, leaving the sidewalk to people walking. While these provisions most directly affect people biking, they will make our streets safer for everyone. Overall, making biking safer will encourage some people to bike instead of driving for some trips - and fewer cars on our streets makes the streets safer for everyone. Also, when riding on streets is more attractive, more people riding bikes on the street and not the sidewalk. We need you to pass these bills to make our streets safer, especially for our children. Please adopt the Safety Stop, Riding Two Abreast, and Bikes Proceed on Walk Signal. Thank you for your time and your service.

I'm writing to show my support for HB1266. Virginia's rural 2 lane roadways are incredible cycling resources, especially on roadways with light traffic. Most of these roads are without a shoulder and in many cases the roadway ends and the unpaved area adjoining the roadway is unsafe for either a bicycle or vehicle. These lanes are also almost always less than 15 feet in width (I understand the standard width is 12 feet) making it unsafe for both a vehicle and bicycle to share the lane. I support the changes in HB1266 that give cyclists on these roads the legal authority to control such lanes of traffic by riding in the center of the lane while riding solo or two abreast while riding in a group. Riding in the center of the lane or two abreast will prevent drivers from making unsafe passes within the lane. Additionally, riding two abreast shortens the passing zone for the passing automobile, making it easier for drivers to pass cyclists in groups safely. I also believe these changes should not only apply to roadways with only one traffic lane in each direction or with speed limits above 35MPH. There is no condition where it is safe for a bicycle and a motorized vehicle to share a lane that is not wide enough for both safely. I believe a standard-width lane on most Virginia roads is 12 feet. A cyclist needs 3 feet from the edge of the road to be able to safely dodge debris, then there are 3 feet between the cyclist and the car. That leaves only 6' for the car, even at 25MPH That is not safe. Another item that should be included in HB1266 is defining standards for bicycle lanes. Bicycle lanes can be safe if they are properly implemented. I frequently ride my bike thru the town of Haymarket where they have dangerously drawn the bicycle lanes. They have bicycle lanes that are to the right of the right turn lanes. I recently completed the League of American Bicyclists "Smart Cycling" class where they teach best practices for cycling on roads. In that class, they present that most vehicle/bicycle collisions happen when a driver turns into a cyclist and not hitting a cyclist from behind. If the cyclist is heading straight and they are in the marked bike lane and the marked bike lane is to the right of a right turn lane, there's no safe way for the cyclist to continue straight. Thank you for considering my feedback on this important topic. I will be following up with my local representatives once I see this Bill move out of committee. If there is anything else I should be doing to advocate for this Bill, please let me know. Sincerly George Argodale 805-312-2408 gargodale@gmail.com

FAVOR. I favor the proposal to allow bicyclists to treat stop signs as yield signs in certain situations as yield signs so long as the intersecting highway has no more than one (1) lane of traffic in each direction, and so long as the bicyclist does not exceed a speed of ten (10) miles per hour. At this reduced speed, a cyclist should be able to come to a full stop if he suddenly sees that the intersection is not clear, as he believed when making the decision to proceed. I favor the clarification of the definition of a "substandard lane". I favor the proposal to allow cyclists to ride two abreast when riding on a multi-lane highway. I feel very strongly that in the absence of a smooth, paved shoulder of at least three (3) feet in width, cyclists in a group are safer when riding two-abreast than they are when riding single file. I have witnessed numerous incidents in which a motorist, when faced with a long line of cyclists riding single file, has misjudged the distance and time needed to pass them and has cut back in too soon, putting people at risk. When cyclists are two-abreast, it is more apparent to the motorist that he will need to move into the left lane, and this seems to make him more cautious because he perceives his own safety is involved. I have been bicycling for 59 years and driving for 50 years, so I know a thing or two about doing both things safely.

I support HB1266 as it improves bicyclist safety and visibility, and clarifies driving laws. I also support HB1077. Safety Stop legislation has been enacted in 9 other states and has been shown to improve safety outcomes, by enabling people on bicycles to move more quickly through an intersection, reducing their exposure to car traffic and increasing their visibility.

I support HB1266 as it improves bicyclist visibility and safety, and clarifies driving laws.

Please expand use of automated speed enforcement (ASE, aka speed cameras) beyond the current limitations of school zones and construction zones into high-risk pedestrian corridors. Please allow bicyclists to follow ped signals and treat stop signs as yield signs. These are proven ways to improve road safety. We need to make our roads safer for everyone and welcoming for those choosing modes other than driving.

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Hi I am writing to you on behalf of The Well Connection UK, a media and publishing company. We could easily get virginia.gov featured in various publications such as magazines, online blogs and news sites. This would undoubtedly help virginia.gov with publicity, reputation, domain authority and organic search engine rankings. We have a wide range of options including completely free collaborations, sponsored posts, guest posts and banner ads. If this sounds of interest, please reach out to the senior business development manager, Anita at info@thewellconnection.co.uk and whatsapp +447395206515 (GMT) Kind regards Clifton Junior Outreach Assistant

Alexandria is a vibrant city based on history, culture, a waterfront and lots of tourism. If Virginia has money and space to build an arena then you have money and space to build new schools. Our school system is deplorable. It’s overcrowded. Think of your citizens before thinking about your quick money grab that eventually leads to an inevitable loss. We don’t want or need an arena. This is pure greed.

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Comments Document

Please vote NO on the proposed amendment to recall Virginia Gentleman (Lee) license plate. Where does this erasure stop?

Please vote NO on the proposed amendment to recall the Virginia Gentleman (Lee)license plate. Lee was one of Virginia's finest sons and deserves his place in our history. Removing him from this form of admiration does absolutely nothing to bring us together as citizens of the Commonwealth. In fact, it serves to divide us even further. Where does this erasure stop?