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Board authorizes red-light camera ordinance, exempts three intersections for expedited review
Summary
Supervisors adopted ordinance R25-24 to allow traffic signal violation monitoring; the board amended the ordinance to explicitly permit planned camera systems at three local intersections (Route 17 & Victory, Route 134 & Victory, Fort Eustis Blvd & Route 17) to proceed pending required engineering studies and VDOT coordination.
York County’s Board of Supervisors on Sept. 16 adopted an ordinance (R25-24R) authorizing traffic-signal violation monitoring systems (red-light cameras) and amended the ordinance to single out three intersections for near-term study and implementation if engineering and vendor studies support them.
County attorney staff explained the Code of Virginia allows localities to enact monitoring systems and described the implementation steps required. Sheriff Montgomery outlined crash data and preliminary studies for the intersection of George Washington Memorial Highway (Route 17) and Victory Boulevard, saying the intersection had 169 crashes since Jan. 1, 2024, and that a one-day vendor test recorded 119 violations at that location.
Sheriff Montgomery said the location in front of the Walmart on Route 17 is “the most dangerous site right now” and that enforcement in that intersection is difficult for deputies because of the traffic pattern and lack of safe pull-off areas. He recommended the county move forward with the camera program there and study two other intersections (Hampton Highway & Victory Boulevard and Fort Eustis Boulevard & Route 17).
During discussion the board debated whether the ordinance should require a public hearing before cameras are installed at additional intersections. The board approved an amendment that exempts the three named intersections from future public-hearing requirements provided the county administrator follows the ordinance’s other prior-notice steps and that sheriff and VDOT engineering studies support an installation. Any installation beyond those three intersections would require a future public hearing and board approval.
The meeting record shows the county will typically rely on a private vendor to install the hardware and conduct monitoring; vendors told board members installation costs can range from approximately $20,000 to $50,000 per intersection and that vendors often conduct free site studies before contracting. Sheriff Montgomery described research showing red-light cameras can reduce violations and crashes by roughly 24–40% in other jurisdictions.
Board action: Supervisor Holroyd moved the amended ordinance (R25-24R) and the motion carried on roll call (yes votes from Supervisors Holroyd, Drury, Roan, Shepherd; Chair Noll recorded no). The ordinance now authorizes the county to implement camera-based enforcement under the Code of Virginia and specifies the three intersections that may be prioritized for implementation pending vendor/VDOT engineering review.
Sheriff Montgomery: “During that time, there were a 119 violations recorded, which shows that ... there was a 119 recorded by this system in one day.”
Next steps: sheriff’s office will pursue vendor studies and coordinate with VDOT engineering; the county administrator and sheriff will provide advance notice to the board when a named intersection is ready to go live. Any intersection not listed in the three-exempt group will return to the board for a public hearing and vote.
