The City of Portmouth, VA strongly opposes this bill due to the fact that any fines paid by the private vendor should be provided to the locality that has invested in this technology, not the Commonwealth Transportation Board.

I am lucky enough to live close enough to my work and kid's schools to be able to bike us to and from most days. I love being able to bike - I can connect to the city and my kids, integrate movement into the day, and its fun! However, biking in so many parts of the city is dangerous - even along routes with a dedicated bike - because of speeding cars. It is important that we reduce vehicular speed for our community - and it sends a message that cars are not the default priority. We must prioritize safety and also integrate all methods of travel - bike, bus, walking, etc - for the health of our communities. I ask that you support this legislation.

Having the ability to expand the cameras gives law enforcement in our city more tools for deterring speeding. Norfolk's pedestrian deaths are among the highest in the state, and thoughtful use of expanded tools can be a true help with speeding which is nearly always present in a pedestrian death. The thoughtful expansion would be best done in an equitable, transparent, and strategic manner. Certainly Bike Norfolk could assist with conversations about good placements should the bill become law.

We strongly SUPPORT the ability of local law enforcement agencies to operate speed safety cameras along high-traffic-crash corridors. At present, the motoring public widely disregards posted speed limits with impunity, while speed safety cameras are a proven, cost-effective, equitable, and completely safe measure to increase speed-limit compliance, save lives, and reduce life-long debilitating injuries, especially among vulnerable road users. Importantly, SB2041 was crafted to include common-sense safeguards against the possibility that some localities might abuse these devices as a local revenue source. Finally, the automated technology in both personal electronic devices and newer motor vehicles now make it easy to avoid any speeding citations.

Comments Document

Fairfax Alliance for Better Bicycling supports all efforts to improve the safety of vulnerable road users by slower down vehicular traffic. Automated Speed Enforcement/Speed safety cameras are the optimal method of enforcement because they provide a durable, low-cost method of reducing vehicular speed without placing additional stress on local police agencies. These cameras have already been implemented in Fairfax County and other areas in the state to successfully reduce speeding in School Zones and highway work zones. These bills provide an opportunity to use proven technology and operations to reduce speeding in other areas where pedestrians, bicyclists, and other vulnerable road users are at increased risk. The attached file show how Fairfax County reduced speeding in school zones during its pilot program. These results can be implemented in additional location s across the state to improve safety for all road users, especially vulnerable road users.

Madame Chair and Members of the Committee: My name is Kristin Pettway and I’m Executive Director of DRIVE SMART Virginia, a traffic safety nonprofit. According to Virginia DMV crash data, there have been 2,150 deaths and almost 65,000 injuries from 122,881 speeding related crashes over the past 5 years on Virgina roads. Speed cameras have proven to be an equitable and cost-effective option to deter speeding in Virginia communities. For example, New Kent Sheriff’s Office saw a 95% reduction of drivers speeding in school zones that implemented this technology. Before the speeding cameras were implemented, they found that almost 40% of vehicles were speeding 11+mph in the school zones during the enforcement period. These cameras work to make the most vulnerable road users in our communities safer, especially when they are implemented in data-driven locations along with public awareness campaigns. We support Delegate Siebold’s bill. Thank you.

I support HB 1664, HB 1666, HB 1673, and HB 2041, which address different aspects of the implementation of speed safety and general photo enforcement of traffic in Virginia. These tools provide essential speed control without the cost of police officers’ valuable time. These proposed solutions are the most efficient way to consistently addresses illegal behavior. As a resident of The Plains, VA, with property bordering on Rt. 17, I witness daily the excessive speeds of cars and trucks on Rt 17. The current level of police enforcement is intermittent, expensive, and ineffective.

Fit4Kids supports HB 2041, as it would help protect children and families in high-injury and high-speed areas, by seeking to reduce speeding near schools, parks, and other community spaces where children and families go to and from. This bill promotes community input and transparency in its process, ensuring that the placement of cameras are based on crash data and work to address the needs of communities disproportionately impacted by unsafe driving. Establishing a community advisory board ensures that community concerns will be addressed and taken into account. Finally, redirecting the revenue from citations to improve transportation and road safety projects means that we can continue making improvements to create safer streets for everyone, including children walking, biking, and rolling to and from their schools. Thank you for your support.

Comments Document

See attached.

I am writing to urge you to vote in favor of installing speed cameras at the intersection of Route 17 and Old Tavern/Enon Church Road. As someone who uses this intersection regularly, I can attest to its growing danger due to increased traffic volume and rampant speeding by vehicles, including large trucks. This intersection has become a life-threatening hazard, and immediate action is needed to prevent further injuries and fatalities. For those unfamiliar with this area, let me describe the situation: entering or exiting Enon Church Road onto Route 17 from any angle requires split-second decision-making. Last year, some improvement was achieved by cutting back part of a blocking hillside, giving drivers an additional five seconds to determine whether it was safe to proceed. While this was helpful, it was not enough. The installation of blinking lights was intended to alert drivers to the danger, but they have proven to be completely ineffective against the sheer volume and speed of vehicles passing through. The reality is that most drivers on this stretch of Route 17 speed simply because they can. Cars and massive trucks travel at excessive speeds, leaving no room for error. This is not just a matter of inconvenience—it is a deadly combination that threatens everyone trying to navigate this intersection. Allow me to share a personal experience that highlights the danger. Just yesterday, while heading to the hospital, I carefully looked in all directions before attempting to enter Route 17. A large truck in the right lane was approaching so quickly that it was impossible to merge. A car in the left lane, driving abreast with the truck, further blocked my way. Finally, I found a small window of opportunity to proceed. As I reached the middle of Route 17, another vehicle from the south attempted to turn and skidded to a stop just two feet from my car. This is not an isolated incident—it is a recurring nightmare for anyone who uses this intersection. The installation of speed cameras is a straightforward and effective solution to this problem. These cameras can enforce speed limits, deter reckless driving, and save lives. Studies have shown that speed cameras significantly reduce speeding-related accidents, particularly in high-risk areas like this one. The cost of implementation is far outweighed by the value of the lives that will be saved. I implore you to prioritize the safety of your constituents by voting in favor of speed cameras at this intersection. If you ever visit this area, I urge you to experience it firsthand—but with caution. Turn off any distractions, focus intently, and you will see the peril that residents face daily. Thank you for considering this urgent matter. I trust that you will make the right decision to protect our community and prevent future tragedies. Sincerely, Mary Forte 8080 Enon Church Rd, The Plains, VA

Bicycling is a hazard these days, no matter where we ride. Anthing the legislature can do to help make the roads safer to share, is a great benefit to the citizens would help. Please do not delay and act today!

In order to make the road safer for pedestrians and cyclists, please pass these bills. Thank you very much. Jorge Forgues 703.627.0889

I am against this bill which changes terminology and expands the use of speed safety cameras in Virginia. Here are my reasons: Privacy Concerns: The increased use of speed safety cameras, now termed "speed safety cameras," raises significant privacy issues, as these devices capture images of drivers and vehicles, potentially leading to surveillance overreach, similar to privacy concerns in Katz v. United States (1967). Potential for Over-Policing: By allowing localities to place speed safety cameras in "high-risk speed corridors," this could lead to over-policing in certain areas, disproportionately affecting communities or drivers, echoing concerns about selective enforcement seen in Whren v. United States (1996). Financial Burden on Citizens: While the bill offers a 30-day warning period, after this, drivers could face civil penalties which might unfairly burden those who cannot afford fines, particularly in lower-income areas, reflecting economic disparity issues similar to those in San Antonio Independent School District v. Rodriguez (1973). Administrative Overhead: The creation of an advisory group and the requirements for periodic reviews and public information provision add administrative burdens on local governments, potentially diverting resources from other public services, akin to the administrative efficiency concerns in Massachusetts v. EPA (2007). Public Notification: Although the bill mandates signage, the effectiveness of such notifications might be limited, especially in high-speed areas where drivers might not notice or heed the signs, leading to unintentional violations, similar to notice issues in Mullane v. Central Hanover Bank & Trust Co. (1950). Erosion of Due Process: The shift from summons to a warning by mail for initial violations could be seen as diminishing due process, where individuals might not receive the same level of legal notification or opportunity to contest before penalties are applied, raising concerns akin to those in Goldberg v. Kelly (1970). Revenue Generation Over Safety: There's a risk that the implementation of speed safety cameras might be more about generating revenue for localities than genuinely improving road safety, which could conflict with the public interest standard discussed in Nollan v. California Coastal Commission (1987). Public Resistance: The requirement for publicizing new camera locations might lead to public resistance or avoidance behaviors, potentially undermining the effectiveness of the cameras in promoting safety, reflecting community response issues similar to those in Kelo v. City of New London (2005). I oppose this legislation due to concerns over privacy, potential over-policing, financial burdens on citizens, increased administrative overhead, inadequate public notification, erosion of due process, the risk of prioritizing revenue over safety, and potential public resistance, advocating for a more balanced approach that considers these issues while aiming to enhance road safety.

I support HB 2041 for Photo Enforcement Speed Ticket Camera technology to be expanded past currently VERY affective school zones as witnessed by me many times driving on Rte 17 (4 lane highway) in Bealton Virginia where Liberty High School is located (Fauquier County), and on Zulla Road (2 lane road) where Coleman Elementary School is located. Both these locations had ongoing years of speeding and crashes, and once speed ticket cameras put in place with the appropriate pre-warning signs also that say "PHOTO ENFORCEMENT" it works great to ENFORCE drivers to obey the speed limit for overall road public safety. Now that it is PROVEN that this technology works in school zones, its time to SHARE its life saving positive capabilities for safer roads in area's that have the dangerous variables and crash data to support there use. Speed Ticket Cameras DO NOT need wide enough shoulders like police officers do to safely pull over speeders to write a citation. On Rte 17 we are highly devoid of safe shoulder widths even for a small automobile. I and many citizens have asked our local VDOT in Warrenton Virginia office and our Board of Supervisors thru our Fauquier Transportation Committee since 2004 to widen just x4 small sections of the shoulders along Rte 17 from Warrenton to Marshall (8.5 miles) so police can do their jobs safely. VDOT ignored the endless requests and even a in depth presentation provided to them by citizens, plus support from our past Sheriff stating it would help. It was NOT until 2022-2023 that VDOT widened only x2 of the shoulders properly to be able to enforce the speed limit on speeding tractor trailers that were flipping over that require wide enough shoulders per many police I have spoken with. x4 more shoulder widening locations are needed, but our local Warrenton VDOT Engineer Daniel (Mark) Nesbit continues to ignore the request despite ongoing requests by me and citizens. Our Police forces are always telling citizens they are over whelmed with too many speeding locations in Fauquier, and not enough man power to handle it all plus VDOT not supplying the proper safe shoulder widths so police can actually do the job more affectively then FURTHER supports the need to Photo Enforcement Speed Ticket Technology. The data gathered from VDOT and Police further proves this that is in the attachment collected from the year 2000 to 2023. It is NOT about making MONEY with this technology, but having a KNOWN affect to deter speeding thru citations. If they generate a lot of citations then it means speeding exists a lot. Police officers are still involved in reviewing EACH citation before it is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. The owner of the Vehicle can then dispute it in court if they desire. Secretary of Transportation Sheppard Miller stated on video recorded Richmond General Assembly 2023 and 2024 to Senate and House Transportation Committee/Public Safety Committee that Virginia road deaths are too high and continue to increase each year, and something needs to be done about it. Police are NOT the 100% solution as in the past, and require Assistance thru Technology. As I post this message I just finished watching how President Trump announced tonight on 1.21.2025 a $500 Billion project to expand and use AI (artificial Intelligence) technology. Every year RGA tables or votes NO to these devices, its another year of MORE PEOPLE dying or seriously injured on or roads due to speeding.

Please pass this bill regarding distracted drivers making them responsible for accident or injury of other users of the road.

I SUPPORT THE USE OF SPEED TICKET CAMERAS ALONG VARIOUS PARTS OF ROUTE 17 AND ESPECIALLY GOING FROM WARRENTON TO MARSHALL DURING THE RUSH HOUR PERIODS AT INTERSECTIONS LIKE OLD TAVERN AND ENON CHURCH RD, AND BELVIOUR RD. NOT MANY DRIVERS ADHEAR TO THE SPEEED LIMITS AND MOST DON'T EVEN SLOW DOWN AT SPEED LIMIT REDUCTIONS OF 45 AND 35 WHEN APPROACHING MARSHALL. THERE ARE NUMEROUS TIMES IT IS SIMPLY DIFFICULT TO CROSS RT 17 FROM ENON CHURCH TO GO TO MARSHALL FORCING ME TO MAKE A RIGHT AND THEN TRY MAKING A LEFT AT THE NEXT INTERSECTION OR FROM THE OLD TAVERN SIDE TRYING TO CROSS RT 17 TO MAKE A LEFT TOWARD MARSHALL. RT 17 IS NOT RT 66

I am writing to support HB 1664, HB 1666, HB 1673, and HB 2041, which address different aspects of the implementation of speed safety and general photo enforcement of traffic in Virginia. These tools provide valuable low-impact enforcement in a manner that optimizes law enforcement capacity and more consistently addresses illegal behavior. As a resident of Richmond, VA and a daily pedestrian in a busy part of the city, I very much want actual enforcement of traffic laws, as opposed to the very intermittent enforcement possible without speed and traffic safety cameras.

Norfolk’s streets are treacherous for pedestrians, dog walkers, cyclists, scooter and wheelchair users, as well as automobile drivers. Aggressive drivers have gotten away with breaking the laws for so many years that they have become comfortable behaving aggressively. In addition to driving 60 mph on 30 mph residential streets, they run red lights and stop signs, and turn right on red traffic lights from left lanes. They harass pedestrians and cyclists they perceive as having no right to use the streets. Approximately 11 percent of Norfolk households do not have cars. They walk, ride a bike, are on motorized wheelchairs to bus stops, work places, and schools. They often have to travel early and late in the day, in the dark, further exposing them to the risk of being hit by a driver of an oversized automobile. Two months ago, a man and his two dogs were hit and killed on Colley Avenue, a pedestrian corridor. It is time to use technology to enforce the law and make our streets and roads safe for all users.