City Updates Traffic Enforcement Camera Program Including School Zone and Red Light Cameras

The Winchester City Council's Public Health and Safety Committee convened on August 20, 2025, to discuss updates on the Automated Traffic Enforcement Camera Program. The meeting highlighted several key developments regarding traffic safety measures in the city, particularly as schools resumed sessions.

Patrick, a representative from the traffic enforcement team, provided an overview of the program, which includes school zone speed enforcement cameras, school bus stop arm cameras, and plans for a traffic signal camera to address red light violations. Recent changes in state law now require that documentation be provided to ensure that school zone lights are operational when citations are issued. The city has implemented a solution to comply with this requirement, and additional cameras have been deployed near schools to monitor compliance.

However, the stop arm camera program is currently on hold due to ongoing technical issues. The vendor is working to resolve these problems, which have resulted in a decrease in the number of citations issued for violations of school bus stop laws. Despite these challenges, the program aims to ensure the safety of children as they travel to and from school.

The committee also discussed the introduction of a new photo red light system, which is being evaluated for its potential effectiveness at the intersection of Jubal Early Drive and South Pleasant Valley Road, identified as the city's most crash-prone area. A traffic study is underway to assess the frequency of red light violations at this location.

In terms of enforcement outcomes, the school zone speed enforcement cameras have issued 3,189 citations this year, reflecting a 47.8% decrease compared to the previous year, which aligns with the city's goal of improving traffic safety. Revenue generated from citations has also seen a decline, totaling $228,544 year-to-date, which is down 28% from last year.

The committee emphasized the importance of these traffic enforcement measures in promoting public safety, particularly for schoolchildren. As the city continues to address technical issues and implement new systems, further updates and public outreach efforts will be forthcoming to keep the community informed about traffic safety initiatives.