New Red Light Cameras Activate In Manassas

MANASSAS, VA — New red light cameras have been activated on Liberia Avenue in Manassas, the Manassas City Police Department said. The red light cameras will operate on a warning basis until Wednesday, July 14.

After the warning period, the red light cameras will issue citations to drivers who run red lights at the intersection of Liberia Avenue and Euclid Avenue. Officials said the photo enforcement will operate at the southbound and westbound approaches of the intersection.

Citations issued by the cameras will go through a three-step review process before being sent to drivers. First, violations will be reviewed in a two-step process by the City's vendor, Conduent Transportation. Then, an officer with the Manassas City Police Department will review the violation.

If a violation makes it through each step of the process, a $50 civil fine is sent to the registered owner of the vehicle. Officials said the penalty does not apply points to the driver's license and can't be used to increase insurance rates.

Manassas's cameras use a rear-facing system. The camera photographs the back of the car and the license plate, but does not capture the driver.

The new traffic light cameras are part of the city's "Ready. Set. STOP!" traffic enforcement campaign. Officials said "the program is intended to improve the safety of drivers by conducting enforcement at the most problematic intersections in the City of Manassas."

The city noted that traditional officer enforcement is difficult and dangerous in these intersections. "Highway safety studies show photo red light enforcement helps change driver behavior and drastically reduce the number of violations and accidents," the city said on its website.

The Virginia Code allows for the City of Manassas to install up to ten total red light cameras. However, the city said that they may not spread the cameras across ten different intersections.

Other intersections that are being considered for red light cameras include Liberia Avenue and Centreville Road, Liberia Avenue and Mathis Road, Liberia Avenue and Signal Hill Road, Grant Avenue and Center Street, and Godwin Drive and Nokesville Road.

More information about Manassas's red light cameras is available on their website.